Preston 2-2 Cardiff

Danny Gabbidon's goal ensured Cardiff left with a share of the spoils

Andy Campbell and Danny Gabbidon claimed a draw for Cardiff at Preston, but it was not enough to keep the Bluebirds' faint play-off hopes alive.

A slick passing move allowed Eddie Lewis in to give Preston a 15th-minute lead with a left-footed shot.

North End doubled their lead after the break, when Paul McKenna capped his mazy run with a fierce shot into goal.

Almost immediately Campbell responded with a stunning 30-yard effort, before Gabbidon headed in an accurate cross.

Both goalkeepers were forced into early action as first North End keeper Jonathan Gould had to be on his toes to stop Richard Langley's free-kick.

Martyn Margetson then showed sharp reflexes to turn away efforts from first McKenna and then Graham Alexander.

Preston got the goal their early play deserved when USA international Lewis linked up well with Ricardo Fuller and picked up the return ball before drilling a left-footed shot into the net.

The visitors gradually came more and more into the game and John Robinson's effort was blocked by Michael Jackson.

Lewis came within inches of sending Preston into the interval with a two-goal advantage as his effort bounced back off the woodwork five minutes from the break.

Preston got the dream start in the second half when McKenna picked the ball up just inside the Cardiff half and, as the Bluebirds defence backed off, waltzed his way through to fire an unstoppable shot past Margetson.

Cardiff responded almost immediately and Campbell pulled a goal back in the 51st minute with a stunning effort from 30 yards that gave Gould no chance.

And just three minutes later, the Bluebirds were level when Gabbidon got on the end of Langley's cross from the right and sent a fine header past Gould.

Chris Lucketti almost grabbed a late winner for Preston, but his header from Alexander's corner came back off the woodwork.

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Preston: Gould, Alexander, Michael Jackson, Lucketti, Broomes, Lewis, Etuhu, McKenna, Healy, Fuller, Cresswell. Subs: Lucas, Briscoe, McCormack, Lynch, Davis.

Cardiff: Margetson, Weston, Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, Langley, Boland, Bullock, Robinson, Campbell, Lee. Subs: Earnshaw, Croft, Parry, Gordon, Alexander.

Referee: A Kaye (W Yorkshire)