Preston North End 2-2 Blackburn Rovers: Hosts fight back from 2-0 down to secure draw against Rovers
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Sam Gallagher's tidy finish put Blackburn 2-0 up before Preston fought back to level before half-time
Preston North End continued to show their Championship play-off credentials as they fought back from 2-0 down to take a point against Blackburn Rovers in a lively Lancashire derby at Deepdale.
Their comeback looked a long way off after an uncharacteristically meek start saw them fall behind to Sammie Szmodics' 23rd goal of the season and a classy finish from Sam Gallagher.
But a collector's item from Robbie Brady's left foot and a bundled effort from Emil Riis, as Rovers fell apart from a set-piece, wiped out the visitors' lead.
The second period was scrappier by comparison as the players tired on a deteriorating pitch with North End the more threatening as Brady went close from inside the box after a neat move involving a back-heel from Mads Frokjaer.
With chances at a premium, both sides fought hard to avoid the mistake that could cost them the game and, although Preston forced a flurry of late corners, they could not find a winner.
After three wins on the spin, the point extends Preston's unbeaten run to five games and sees them move two points off the top six, while Rovers, smarting from losing their lead, did at least deliver John Eustace's first point as manager.
On a difficult surface, pockmarked with sand, the opening exchanges were understandably cautious but it was Rovers who settled the better, playing with an energy mostly absent from their defeat at Birmingham City in Eustace's first game in charge.
And, given his season in front of goal, it was no surprise that it was Szmodics who broke the deadlock with his 18th Championship goal after only four minutes, coolly slotting past Freddie Woodman having been put clean through by Gallagher after Will Keane had lost possession.
North End struggled to rediscover the swagger that had seen them win their last three games and Liam Millar's hopeful effort that drew a regulation save from Aynsley Pears was their best moment before they fell further behind.
Callum Brittain's deep, curling cross from the right was perfect for Gallagher's bent run in between the flat Preston defence, as he ran on to flick past Woodman with the outside of his boot.
But falling 2-0 down seemed to spark something from the home side and a bit of magic from Brady got them back in it.
After his own corner found its way back to him, the Republic of Ireland international whipped a delightful left-footed shot into the top right-hand corner past Pears for his first Preston goal and first since scoring for Burnley in the Premier League against Manchester City in December 2019.
Rovers' weakness from set-pieces was further exposed two minutes before the break as North End drew level. Another corner caused mayhem in the visitors' box with Riis eventually forcing the ball over the line past Pears.
The home side carried their momentum into the early stages of the second half as Brady's drive was blocked after some lovely build-up play.
But, ultimately, the decaying surface took its toll on the players and although Preston finished the stronger, Rovers' shaky defence held out.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It's a good point in a local derby and you have to pay the opposition some respect.
"But it is frustrating because we were in the ascendancy and when we got the two goals back there was only one team that looked like winning it and that was us.
"When you're two goals down and you get it back to 2-2, you've got to be pleased because both teams were out on their feet at the end.
"To be unbeaten in five, however you take it, the points are on the board and I thought the lads were fantastic."
Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I've very proud of the group and their efforts. I thought they were outstanding the way they dug in, in a few really difficult moments in the game. That was rewarding.
"Obviously we wanted the three points and the way we started the game was exceptional.
"There were a few tired bodies - you could see that - and just the decision making, we lost a couple of duels late in the first half.
"I'm disappointed [not to win] but there's lots of positives to take out of the game - the way we defended against a very physical team like Preston and I think this group of players have been questioned on that commitment this season to keep the ball out of the net and that's the most pleasing thing for me in getting the point."