Sam Greenwood after his challenge on Lewis Baker Getty Images

Sam Greenwood (centre) paid the price for a reckless challenge

Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic was accused of biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck as both sides ended a feisty Lancashire derby at Deepdale with 10 men.

North End's Sam Greenwood was sent off three minutes before half-time for a crude challenge on Lewis Baker.

But the visitors were unable to take advantage and themselves had a player red-carded late on, when Beck was dismissed for lashing out at Duane Holmes.

Beck furiously protested to referee Matthew Donohue that he had been bitten by Osmajic, who was given a yellow card.

Rovers remain unbeaten in the Championship this season but a win would have taken them to third in the table, above rivals Burnley.

They instead moved up one place, to fourth, while the point moved Preston, who began the day in the bottom three, up to 21st.

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Owen Beck (centre) alleged Preston's Milutin Osmajic bit him in the aftermath of the Blackburn man's red card

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Owen Beck told the officials he had been bitten on his back before he left the field following his red card

It was the first time in 43 years this fixture has produced a goalless draw.

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances before the game suddenly sparked into life shortly before half-time when Preston keeper Freddie Woodman palmed Ryan Hedges’ shot towards Tyrhys Dolan, whose half-volley hit the post.

Greenwood was red-carded a couple of minutes later but his team nevertheless finished the half strongly.

Brad Potts’ shot brought a near-post save from Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears, who then did superbly to keep out Andy Hughes’ header from the resulting corner.

Blackburn boss John Eustace made an attacking change at the break in an attempt to capitalise on the numerical advantage, sending forward Makhtar Gueye on in place of midfielder Baker.

Gueye saw a tame effort gathered by Pears, who was largely comfortable as the hosts defended well.

And Beck’s frustration got the better of him when he was shown a red card for reacting angrily to a challenge, kicked out at Holmes, and then claimed he had been bitten by North End substitute Milutin Osmajic - who received a yellow card - in the melee which followed.

Pears was called into action twice in the final stages, saving strikes from Ben Whiteman and Potts but Blackburn held on for a point.

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