Mikey O’Neill’s 92nd-minute penalty earned Preston North End reserves a deserved point against Huddersfield Town in the Central League.
PNE fell behind in the first half after Kian Taylor found the back of his own net, and the young home side created a flurry of chances from that point but it looked as though they’d be left frustrated.
That was until Jacob Slater earned a late penalty which O’Neill slotted home to equalise and in turn confirm a third successive draw in the Central League.
North End had some early defending to do to prevent their visitors taking a lead, with Lewis Coulton producing a last-ditch challenge to deny what would have been a sure goal, before James Pradic kept out Michael Stone’s powerful effort.
At the other end, O’Neill could have opened the scoresheet after Lewis Leigh had brilliantly intercepted in midfield before finding the striker, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Josh Mazfari.
That stop proved important for his side, as the Terriers went down the other end just a few minutes later to take the lead, with Shane Maroodza’s cross from the left being inadvertently turned home by Taylor.
Forward O’Neill then had two presentable chances for the hosts either side of half-time, however Mazfari denied him on both occasions.
PNE were the side on top in the early stages of the second period, putting Huddersfield under plenty of pressure, but Pradic was required to keep out Joseph Johnson and Gabriel Ajuchi midway through the half.
Donay O’Brien-Brady then could have found his side’s second on 71 minutes, sending an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
At the other end, Josh Seary sent a searching cross in from the right, which Finlay Cross-Adair got on the end of, but his header didn’t quite have the power on it to trouble the ‘keeper.
Substitute Kitt Nelson then came even closer eight minutes from time, taking in Coulton’s cross before spinning and sending an effort inches wide.
The Lilywhites kept creating chances and it looked as though they would continue to be frustrated, until the 91st minute when Slater drove into the area and was adjudged to have been fouled. O’Neill stepped up to take the resulting spot kick, and he made no mistake as he slotted to the right to earn a deserved point for his side.
PNE line-up: Pradic; Nevin, Taylor, Coulton; Seary, Leigh, Mawene, Amaral (Nelson, 69), Slater; Cross-Adair, O’Neill. Subs not used: Davis, Wallbank, Best, Kamara.
Huddersfield Town line-up: Mazfari; Daley (Eccleston, 45), Iorpenda, Maroodza, Johnson; O’Brien- Brady, Stone, Owen (Vost, 45); Peart (Philipott, 62), Krasniqi (Ondo, 45), Ajuchi. Sub not used: Taylor.