Wolves grab Preston point
By Graeme Bailey. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Preston North End missed the chance to move into fourth after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wolves at Deepdale.
Preston went ahead through Richard Cresswell after just three minutes but Jody Craddock levelled from close range.
Graham Alexander deservedly restored the lead in the second half as he fired home a penalty, but the home side went to sleep and allowed Wolves to come back into the game and level with Seol Ki-hyeon (pictured) firing home.
Preston had the better of the opening period and went ahead after just three minutes when Cresswell headed home from Eddie Lewis's nice cross.
Wolves came forward looking for an immediate response and almost got one when Youl Mawene's sliced clearance flew just wide of Chris Day's post.
However, just five minutes later and Wolves were level as Craddock met a Lee Naylor cross at the back post to level matters.
Preston should have gone back ahead before the interval and had a number of good chances.
Chris Sedgwick saw his 25-yard drive palmed wide by Michael Oakes.
Cresswell and Lewis then saw efforts fly just wide of Oakes's post as Preston continued to press.
Into the second half and Preston again continued to press the Wolves goal and they were desperately unlucky not to go ahead five minutes after the re-start.
David Nugent fired a 30-yard effort at goal and it bounced back off the post, then from the rebound Oakes got down well to push away Cresswell's follow-up.
Nugent then fired over the bar after cutting in from the left when he should have at least hit the target.
Preston's pressure, though, did finally result in a goal and it came from the penalty spot as Joleon Lescott tripped the lively Lewis and Alexander made no mistake from 12 yards.
The home side continued to press and Nugent again went close, but Oakes was there to tip wide. The Wolves keeper repeated the feat moments later when he saved low down to his right - again from the former Bury front man.
Against the run of play, Wolves could and should have levelled matters. Korean star Seol broke down the right and once he reached the area, squared for Kenny Miller - he controlled and with the goal at his mercy hammered the shot across the bar and Preston cleared.
Suddenly Wolves realised they could get something from the game and they were beginning to assert themselves.
Miller came close as he hooked over from close range, while Carl Cort fired over when he should have done better.
Then, just as with Preston, the leveller deservedly came after a bout of sustained pressure. It was a great finish as Seol jinked his way past a couple of challenges on the edge of the area before firing into the corner and giving Day no chance.
Preston then tried in vain to find another, but they could not find a way through as Wolves held firm for a slightly fortunate point - their 11th since Glenn Hoddle took charge 15 games ago.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Richard Cresswell
Graham Alexander
Jody Craddock
Seol Ki-Hyeon
