The Lilywhites remain sixth in the table, one point above Bristol City, while QPR extended their unbeaten run to six matches.

Sean Maguire nearly handed North End the lead inside three minutes but he saw his low effort beat Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly and rebound off the post.

Ex-Preston striker Jordan Hugill nearly latched on to a loose backpass but Declan Rudd was quick to clear his lines.

The Lilywhites won a penalty when Darnell Fisher was brought down by Marc Pugh and Johnson slotted into the bottom corner for his 11th strike of the league campaign as the hosts went in front before the 20th minute.

Andrew Hughes rose highest to nod Paul Gallagher's corner wide and the veteran midfielder nearly found Johnson with a sublime through ball which the goalscorer just missed, as the hosts impressed.

Moments after the break, Bright Osayi-Samuel blasted over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box in the visitors' best chance up to that point.

QPR had a handball plea against Ben Davies from Luke Amos' shot turned down as they sought a penalty of their own, as Ilias Chair's header missed the target.

The visitors levelled on the hour when Eze's free-kick from the right was met by Hall at the back post who made no mistake.

Preston nearly retook the lead soon after in bizarre fashion when Maguire's header from a free-kick crept over Kelly and Hall only to rebound off the bar and the striker waiting underneath.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Cameron was shown a second yellow card in the 67th minute for fouling Fisher, having earlier been cautioned for an offence against Gallagher.

But QPR took the lead with 12 minutes remaining when Manning produced a sublime curling finish from just inside the box to beat Rudd.

And it got even better for the Rs when Eze curled a right-footed 84th-minute shot past a diving Rudd to cap off the remarkable recovery.