Preston put on a much improved performance in their second league game and deservedly took the lead in the first half thanks to an Ian Hume cracker who curled in a left footer from the edge of the box.
The Whites had much of the ball in the first period as they returned to their 4-3-3 formation. The back line was much steadier with Clarke Carlisle winning everything in the air.
The only time the home side threatened were from set pieces where Nicholson had to clear off the line in the first half from his position on the post and a scarmbled clearance in the second from a set piece.
Preston were denied a penalty when Mellor was felled in the box and a second at that stage would have killed the game. Scunthorpe also had a penalty appeal for handball turned down.
Brown moved to a 4-5-1 as Smith and Tsoumou came off the bench to tie up the game but they could not prevent an equaliser. The ball was pinging around the Preston box with no real aim until it ended up at the feet of Barcham who was free in the box to slot past Turner.
It was disappointing for Preston who had led for so long with little threat from the home side. A second goal would have killed the gmae but Preston will have to wait for their first league win.