The game was somewhat overshadowed by the news a day before the game that Tranmere player, Ashworth, had been diagnosed with cancer and a minutes appluase took place during the seventh minute in acknowledgment of the player.
Preston changed their starting line up and formation. New arrival Gallagher came straihgt in with Brownhill being out injured. He started on the left side of midfield with Preston reverting to a 4-4-2. Hume started up front in place of Beavon after his goal the previous week against Notts County.
The home side had the majority of the ball in the first half and on another day might have had the ball int he back of the net. As it was Preston were lacking int he final third and it seems that if Preston don't score early then they find it difficult to break sides down such as Tranmere who simply sit back and soak up the game.
Tranmere took the lead in the second half from a counter attack. The goal could have been easily prevented. Huntington made the mistake of rushing out of defence to try to attack the man with the ball. His moevement left him in no mans land and an easy slide ball was played through to Atkinson who went through one on one to score past Rudd who was fuming with his defenders.
The visitors simply sat back which has pretty much been the norm for any side visiting this season save for Wolves. Garner and Beavon replaced Hume and Gallagher as Preston strived for a goal.
The equaliser came in stoppage time when Beavon fired in a left wing cross onto the head of Garner who thumped home the header to get Preston a point out of the game.
North End remain fourth but lose ground on the leaders which is a little worrying. It is the FA Cup next week when Grayson may look to change things around before they go to league leaders Leyton orient in a couple of weeks.
Source: WHITES
Source: FOOTYMAD
