Grayson rues missed chances

Preston boss Simon Grayson was frustrated with his side's finishing after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Fleetwood.

David Ball snatched a dramatic late leveller for the hosts after Daniel Johnson had given the Lilywhites the lead within the opening 10 minutes. Preston failed to build on that early lead and Jermaine Beckford missed a sitter while Chris Maxwell denied Scott Laird from close range as North End failed to make first-half pressure count. And Grayson lamented his team's failure to secure all three points. "I think it's two points dropped," he said. "In the first half we played really well, their keeper made some unbelievable saves. "Jermaine Beckford should have scored. It might make the difference between automatic and play-offs, that's how tight it is." The shared spoils means Preston are now 10 points behind leaders Bristol City, while in the battle for automatic promotion Swindon are just four points behind with a game in hand. However, Grayson is happy with North End's recent form and knows they remain in a strong position in their bid to make a return to the Championship. He added: "We're still in a really strong position. We're on a good run - it's 11 we're unbeaten now. "We're creating chances and confidence is very high. However long it takes we'll keep going. The players in there know every game is valuable to what you're trying to achieve. "We're now coming into a defining part of most seasons. You've got games close together, you can pick up a good bunch of points." The result sees Fleetwood move within three points of a play-off place, although their winless run now stands at three games. However, manager Graham Alexander was delighted with his side's fightback after the break against his former club. "In the first half we showed Preston too much respect," he said. "I didn't think we competed in the game as well as we should (have). "The upturn in the performance was fantastic. The second half was superb. "We know they are a very good team but we had them on the back foot and we could even have got ourselves a winner. We really took the game to Preston." Alexander also hailed David Ball for his stunning equaliser. The substitute found the net in the 85th minute with an audacious 25-yard lob which dropped in off the back post. "It's a superb strike but we know he's capable of doing that," added Alexander. "We know the quality in our squad and it's a fitting goal for the occasion."