The Whites put a lot of effort into th egame although QPR seemed to have the extra quality showing some neat touches whilst on the ball but in the first half an hour the visitors could not break through the home defence.
The league leaders then took the lead thanks to a raid down the left hand side which saw a cross slotted across for a tap in from around two yards out.
Preston did not seem deterred by the quality of their opponents and still played in an attacking way. The reward came when Nicholson was played through and he exquisitely chipped Paddy Kenny from the edge of the box.
Both sides attempted to claim all three points but at the end of the day the game finished all square.