Mads Frokjaer-Jensen’s beautifully cushioned volley earned Preston a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Danish midfielder pounced two minutes before half-time to cancel out Tommy Conway’s opening goal for Boro in the 16th minute.
Chances after the restart were few and far between and neither team could find the vital breakthrough and had to settle for a point.
Michael Carrick handed George Edmundson a start following his deadline day loan move from Ipswich, one of four changes as the Boro boss went in search of a home win having won at Cardiff before the international break.
And they started strongly, pushing forward regularly in search of an early goal.
Before the opener, Boro had a penalty shout waved away when Conway went down after appearing to beat goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to the ball in the area. Replays suggested the decision was about right.
Woodman had also made a strong stop to deny Hayden Hackney following a swift exchange of passes with Finn Azaz, before Middlesbrough were rewarded for a bright start soon after.
Full-back Luke Ayling, starting on the right, curled a perfect pass in behind the back four down his flank. That left Conway with just the goalkeeper to beat and the former Bristol City man hammered a low finish beyond Woodman.
Even though Middlesbrough had the better of the first half, including an Emmanuel Latte Lath volley that flew over, Preston did have their moments.
The Lilywhites, who also made four changes and introduced Josh Bowler for his debut at half-time, had already seen a couple of crosses flash across the six-yard box before they levelled with two minutes remaining of the first half.
Once Boro’s Neto Borges had lost out to Jordan Storey in the middle of the pitch, Preston broke forward and Brad Potts’ cross was met perfectly by Frokjaer-Jensen’s sweet first-time finish.
Latte Lath, who remained on Teesside despite deadline day interest from Ipswich, thought he had put Middlesbrough ahead again soon after half-time. The goal, though, was ruled out for offside when he turned in Borges’ low cross from the left.
Carrick introduced Ben Doak, following his loan move from Liverpool on deadline day, with almost 20 minutes remaining but Preston continued to frustrate the hosts and could have scored themselves.
Dan Barlaser forced Woodman into a strong one-handed save from a free-kick after Conway had been brought down by Storey, with the Middlesbrough bench wondering how the Preston man did not receive a second caution.
After Doak had earned a free-kick deep in the Preston half, Matt Clarke headed a Conway header wide but Preston continued to hold firm and frustrate from there on in top leave with a point.
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