David Ball denies Preston North End all three points

A late goal form David Ball rescued a share of the spoils for Fleetwood Town from their home clash with Lancashire rivals Preston North End this afternoon.

However, the outcome was somewhat overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Preston defender Paul Huntington, who was receiving medical attention for eight minutes before he left the field of play.

Following a positive start to proceedings, Preston took the lead in the ninth minute. The home defence failed to fully clear Paul Gallagher's cross and they were punished when Jamaican midfielder Daniel Johnson curled the ball in from the edge of the area.

Having taken the lead, Simon Grayson's visitors dominated the remainder of the half, but they were unable to double their advantage.

Their best chance fell to Jermaine Beckford on the stroke of the break, but he was denied from close range by a combination of Antoni Sarcevic and goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.

Maxwell was again called into action shortly after the restart, this time to deny Gallagher's strike from distance.

It was shortly after that when Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander turned to Ball, who made a big impact just two minutes after Huntington had been stretchered off with a head injury.

The substitute found himself with space 20 yards from goal and, having spotted visiting goalkeeper Sam Johnstone off his line, he sent a deft chip into the far corner of the net in the 85th minute.

Ball then had another opening soon after, but fired wide of the target from 10 yards out, under pressure from Jack King.

The result means that Preston have been able to put four points between themselves and third-placed Swindon Town in the race for automatic promotion from League One, while the Cod Army move up to 12th.