Huntington came back in the side after his recent injury absence as Clarke was pushed out to right back. Robinso and Gallagher started out wide. Liard and Beckfors were both declared fit after leaving the Gillingham game early due to injury.
North End dominated the first half and should have been more than one up at the break. Beckford and Garner missed chances but it fell to man of the moment Daniel Johnson to curl in yet another left footed effort to give Preston the lead.
Vale were not in the game but slowly gained some momentum in the second half. Foolishly Clarke appeared to become entangled with Tom Pope in the box. The ball was flying miles over the pair and there was no need to get remotely invovled.
The referee awarded the penalty and O'Connor slotted home which I believe was the first shot on goal by the visitors. The game then became a battle but Preston came back.
Clarke made up for his error by getting forward at a set piece and striking towards goal. The ball was handled on the line despite the rebound being blasted over. A penalty was awarded and Duffy was sent off.
Garner took the penalty in place of the usual taker Gallagher. He smashed the penalty home and Preston looked to have the ascendency against ten men.
Preston let the game slip towards the end when Welsh uncharacteristically tripped a Vale forward for yet another penalty. O'Connor converted again into the same corner.
Davies and Ebanks Blake came on but it was too little too late as Preston dropped two furtker points. Whilst Swindon lost on Saturday and now appear to be out of the automatic hunt, MK Dons thrashed Leyton orient to move within a point of Preston with a better goal difference.
North End now travell to Notts County on Tuesday night where a win has now become a necessity to keep hold of second place.