Town target Jordan Hugill netted an 89th minute equaliser for Preston as the Blues drew 1-1 at Deepdale, Tom Lawrence having given the visitors a first-half lead with another brilliant strike.

New loan signing Toumani Diagouraga was handed his Town debut in the centre of midfield alongside Cole Skuse as Mick McCarthy made five changes to the team which lost 2-0 at Huddersfield last week.

Bartosz Bialkowski returned in goal with Dean Gerken back on the bench, while Josh Emmanuel was at right-back in a four-man defence with Jordan Spence and Paul Digby dropping to the bench.

Andre Dozzell was left out of the 18, while Grant Ward started on the right of midfield with Tom Lawrence on the left. Brett Pitman returned to the side alongside Freddie Sears up front.

David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop were both among the subs having recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

New signing Danny Rowe was at the game but wasn’t involved, while Steven Taylor’s international clearance is yet to come through and the former Newcastle man is unlikely to be available before Saturday’s home game with Reading.

In heavy rain on a very slippery pitch, Preston midfielder Daniel Johnson hit the game’s first shot over the bar from just outside the area in the second minute following a corner.

The Lilywhites put the Blues under some early pressure with Town taking several attempts to clear the danger.

Hugill, understood to have been the subject of a rebuffed £2 million bid from the Blues this week, threatened for the first time in the seventh minute when Aiden McGeady, who had made a lively start, found him with an excellent cross from the left but the former Port Vale man headed just over from six yards.

Preston full-back Marnick Vermijl picked up the game’s first booking on 14 for a foul on Skuse as the midfielder, who was playing ahead of Diagouraga, broke forward.

Following the freekick, Emmanuel played in Sears on the right and his cross eventually fell to Jonas Knudsen on the left but the Dane’s shot was blocked.

The Blues were starting to get into the game and on 16 they went in front via another contender in Tom Lawrence’s personal Goal of the Season competition.

The on-loan Leicester man cut inside from the left, taking the ball between two defenders as he did so, before smashing a powerful right-foot shot across Lilywhites keeper Chris Maxwell which bulged the inside of the net.

The Welshman’s eighth goal of the season, which even one or two of the home fans applauded, was right up there among the best of what’s becoming one of the outstanding loan spells at Town.

Marked by two opponents? Tight angle? 😮 It doesn't matter to @Official_ITFC midfielder @TomLawrence99! pic.twitter.com/0di3TexWmi– Football On 5 (@FootballOn5) January 28, 2017

Lawrence created an opportunity for Sears on 21 with the Blues having been on top after the goal. The 23-year-old cleverly played the ball into the path of the former West Ham man, who ran on to the edge of the box before hitting a low shot which was too close to Maxwell, who claimed.

Hugill shot wide on 25 then, with Berra and the Preston frontman both grounded following clash of heads, referee Steven Martin allowed play to continue and Paul Gallagher hit a low effort which Bialkowski claimed.

In the 27th minute Hugill showed Shefki Kuqi-esque desire to close down as skipper Luke Chambers played the ball back to Bialkowski and blocked the keeper’s kick.

McGeady shot over on 36 with the home side having a fair bit of the ball but with Bialkowski not having been tested further. Three minutes later, the Irish international sent another effort well over.

On 40 Town went close to adding to their lead when Sears cleverly worked his way in on goal on the left of the box. Vermijl looked to have snuffed out the danger but the one-time Colchester man tenaciously got himself back on the ball and tried to squeeze home between the full-back and keeper Maxwell, who just managed to divert the ball past his post.

Preston almost got back on terms a minute later when Ben Pearson volleyed McGeady’s left-wing cross towards goal but hammered the ball against Hugill and it flew wide. Had it not struck Hugill, Pearson’s shot looked destined to hit the net.

That was the final chance of what had been a fairly even half. Preston had started well but the Blues were playing themselves more into the game when Lawrence slammed home his latest stunner.

From there the Lilywhites looked to take the game to Town but their only real chance was Pearson’s late shot which Hugill blocked, while the Blues looked a danger on the break and Sears was unfortunate not to double their lead having battled hard to eke out his opportunity.

The home side were first to threaten after the break, Gallagher finding Robinson with a clever pass but the midfielder shot straight at Bialkowski.

Kevin Bru replaced the tiring Diagouraga on 58, the Frenchman having put in a solid if unspectacular display on his debut. For Preston Jermaine Beckford took over from Gallagher.

Chances were rare at both ends with the teams largely cancelling one another out but on 70 Pitman curled over from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later, the former AFC Bournemouth man sent strike partner Sears away on the right and the ex-Hammer won a corner from which a loose ball fell to Pitman, who shot over when he will feel he might have done better. Seconds later, the Town number 11 was replaced by McGoldrick.

As the game moved into its final 15 minutes the home side began to get on top and put the Blues under pressure with Bialkowski saving sharply from McGeady after the ex-Everton man had got beyond Knudsen.

Moments later, the Irishman stood up a cross to the far post and skipper Tom Clarke’s header was deflected wide.

Kieffer Moore replaced Sears for the final 11 minutes with the Blues still hanging on to their lead, desperately at times, Berra throwing himself in front of a powerful McGeady strike.

On 87 Bialkowski dropped a cross from the right when under pressure and Beckford hit a shot which was blocked by a defender with the keeper grounded.

Lawrence went looking for his second goal of the game soon afterwards but shot straight at Maxwell.

But Preston continued to put the Blues under pressure and in the 89th minute they equalised. Horgan crossed from the right, the ball took a flick on its way over and, perhaps inevitably, it was Hugill who was there to take a touch and confidently slam home from close range.

There was no time for either side to win it and in the end a draw was probably a fair result on the balance of the match.

Town will have felt they would have done enough to deserve the points had they held on, while Preston will believe they put the Blues under pressure for long spells of the second half and were worthy of a point.

The result sees Town remain 14th in the Championship - 10 points from the relegation zone and 10 points from the play-offs - ahead of Tuesday's home game against Derby and next Saturday's visit by Reading.

Preston: Maxwell, Vermijl (Makienok 78), Clarke (c), Huntington, Spurr, Gallagher (Beckford 65), Pearson, Johnson, McGeady, Robinson (Horgan 58), Hugill. Unused: Lindegaard, Boyle, Browne, May.

Town: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Chambers (c), Berra, Skuse, Diagouraga (Bru 58), Ward, Lawrence, Emmanuel, Pitman (McGoldrick 74), Sears (Moore 80). Unused: Gerken, Bishop, Spence, Digby. Referee: Steven Martin (Staffordshire). Att: 10,656 (Town: 365).

Photo: Action Images

westernblue added 09:05 - Jan 29 Meant to say that precisely 365 of us were there!
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runaround added 09:33 - Jan 29 In isolation a draw at an inform Preston is a decent result but conceding the equaliser so late makes it feel like a defeat. Does sound like we sat back second half which infuriates me as it only takes one mistake or moment of brilliance from the opposition & 2 points are lost. Should not be surprised as this how we play so often. We cannot keep relying on individual brilliance from Lawrence or Bart to get us points. Hard work, diligence & effort are all needed to be a successful team but you need more than that

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heathen66 added 10:43 - Jan 29 Interesting comments on here this week Firstly the return of the pro Mick McCarthy brigade Please do not get me wrong, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but please come on the forum and give an opinion when things have not gone well e.g. Vs Lincoln and not just when things have better. I for one want to see a different perspective, as unlike Mick, I know I am not always right As I have stated before, I do not believe Mick is the man to take us forward, as I actually believe that we have a decent squad that really requires direction and motivation (not money btw). Players are scared to do anything other than what Mick says to the letter, and if anyone including us fans question this then They are Wrong !!! Micks philosophy is firstly lets not get beaten, and then hopefully nick something later on. We always seem to set up to stop the opposition rather than let them worry about us. I would like to see us try to win every game and set out a team to do so. After one game albeit only a 1-1 draw against the mighty Preston there are people saying Mick has changed...Really, I do not think so !!! Team selection will be very interesting when all players are fit, especially all senior players. Will he chose any 2 from the 4/5 CBs and have the balls to drop one of the chosen few or will he revert to 3 at the back or Chambers to RB ?? Watch out for mysterious injuries / illness to the likes of Emmanuel.

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cat added 12:15 - Jan 29 Heathen66 apologises down marked you by mistake!! Your opinions are bang on imo.
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MrDiddle added 19:26 - Jan 29 heathen66, it's not that the pro Mick camp don't come on here (I count myself as one of them). It's more a case that there is a select group of users on here who make it their mission to drown us out with their pathetic "holier than thou" attitude towards those who don't align with their thinking. To be perfectly honest it bores the crap out of me, and as a result sometimes I will not comment or mark up or down for weeks because of it. I am sure there are many others who feel the same. All a bit sad really. I'd be much more interested in conversing with other users constructively, regardless of whether they are for or against. Just a shame the maturity levels and brain power of some seem to spoil it for the rest of us.

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blueboy1981 added 20:20 - Jan 29 Mr Diddle .......... self righteous or what ?? ............ ever heard that 'self praise is no recommendation' ... ?? Heathen66 ...... hit the nail right on the head. Excellent post from him / her.
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grumpyoldman added 20:31 - Jan 29 MrDiddle surely if somebody has an opinion which differs from others and they state it clearly and concisely how can they be drowned out. I like you don't care if people agree with me I just say what I believe, although I occasionally post just to wind certain posters up. Some have entrenched views and cannot accept any other people's without resorting infantile insults from both sides of the argument, but it does take all sorts.

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MrDiddle added 20:36 - Jan 29 blueboy1981, you've just demonstrated my point beautifully. Cheers!
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Elto added 20:43 - Jan 29 blueboy - What part of MrDiddle's post do you consider 'self praise'?
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Elto added 20:55 - Jan 29 consider *to be* 'self praise'?
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Bert added 22:45 - Jan 29 Well said MrDiddle. I am not in either camp simply because there is nothing we can say or do that will affect the outcome. Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion, those that do so destructively and personally just show their unthinking prejudice and rarely comment when something good happens. I don't have rose tinted glasses but I do know that the majority of fans care enough to support their team whatever their personal opinions of MM and individual players.

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MicksZzzTactics added 23:48 - Jan 29 @MrDiddle "I'd be much more interested in conversing with other users constructively, regardless of whether they are for or against" Hmmm mighty interesting and nobel-sounding proclamation there :-) ... So you are basically & boldly claiming that you are ever sooo eagerly willing to converse with those that are against MM too... Ehmmm are you by any remote chance the same @MrDiddle who posted the following comment on EADT's match review article: "I see the usual SUSPECTS haven't commented yet. Probably too busy making their PATHETIC 'Mick and Marcus out' banners for Tuesday." And If it is indeed you posting as @MrDiddle on EADT too (extremely likely imho lol) ....then ehhh that comment there is not quite showing even the slightest tiny-itty-bitty respect for ITFC Fans with a different opinion [than your own Pro-MM etc. one] in the vast majority of so called real, repeat real, Humane People's book!!! .......... and btw neither is to a certain degree your sooo 'OPEN-ARMED' sentence in your TWTD post above: "Just a shame the maturity levels and brain power of some seem to spoil it for the rest of us."! and ohhh IT TAKES ONE [of those inferred as immature & retarded] TO KNOW ONE, as they saying goes!!! lol So 'Enough Said!' don't you think? :-), you freakin' hypocrite!!!!!!!!!!

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blueboy1981 added 10:31 - Jan 30 ......... looks as if the superglue has been on the same fingers & buttons over the weekend again. No wonder they are all pro McCarthy - they are as predictable - and boring.......... !! One liners, no substance ............... oh, and of course the 'minus' button for anyone who DARES say a word against their maestro, or anyone who has an alternate opinion.
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MrDiddle added 10:32 - Jan 30 Hmmm MickZzzTactics, i'm guessing you are none other than EADT's resident bore merchant currently using the name 'Pundit'. Always wondered whether that was you! There isnt such thing as constructive debate on EADT as anyone with half a brain would know their articles are largely commented on by Norwich fans like yourself. Again, more than willing to have constructive debate with fans on a proper ITFC fan site. That i'm afraid doesn't include users like you, who are just intent on using negative posts to belittle ITFC and its fans. Can you give me one example of a non anti-ITFC post you've written... ever?

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blueboy1981 added 12:15 - Jan 30 .......... quite amazing how anyone who doesn't agree with all things MM says, and does - is categorised as being a 'Norwich Fan' . Absolutely pathetic - to the point of being laughable. But that's the mind set of some ............... !!!!!!!!!!!!
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MrDiddle added 14:05 - Jan 30 It's a bit difficult to categorise you or mickzz as anything else blueboy, what with all the constant anti ITFC comments you write on each and every article on this site. Would gracefully accept being wrong about that one, if you were able to prove you've ever been a supporter of ITFC. Good luck with that one, its obvious you aren't.
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MicksZzzTactics added 15:58 - Jan 30 ROFL!!!!!!!! Sorry "Sherlock", but PROPERLY countering you latest clearly 'Primal Scream' echoing posts @MrDiddle is .... is simply BENEATH even me!!! (How is that relating 'Primal Therapy' or perhaps even additional 'Electroconvulsive Therapy' of yours going btw? All jolly good I hope! lol) - - HOWEVER, I would like to make the following (un)official statement though, in concise response to your startling allegations which now all of a sudden burdens my über sinful soul soooo unbearable much, and no it's not really addressed at you the Wannabe-Sherlock @MrDiddle but rather addressed to all of TWTD's readers: I @MicksZzzTactics hereby confess, sob sob , that I've indeed been trying to mislead the vast majority of you good folks who roam on & read TWTD, sob sob, as I most definitely is a certified anti-ITFC Norwich City fan ... in (poor) disguise ... after all, sob sob. Which is EXACTLY why I have been visting Portman Road since around 1977!!!, and very visibly and vocally both privately but especially in public has always ACTED as an unmistakable fan of Ipswich Town FC ever since!!! (albeit an increasingly 'Skeptical Fan' in this the Marcus Evans era) ... And ohhh why I apparently have accumulated no less than 1164 up-votes on TWTD -- the ONLY Ipswich fan media I make any comments in btw (meaning naaah I am not in fact @Pundit on EADT, sorry)! -- despite only in general having posted here very very infrequently for just the last couple of years???!!! .. and where I btw at least on 2 occasions just within the last month -- a month or two where I indeed have been more interactive than normally, due to the non-viable escalating tragic-comical situation here -- have wished EVERY single Ipswich fan on TWTD and elsewhere a genuine "good/killer weekend"???!!! something extremely extremely common & typical to do among us TRUE lifetime Norwich fans of course! :-) :-) :-) :-) LMAO

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