Liam Manning experienced “every emotion imaginable” as his Bristol City team roared back from two goals down to clinch a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs in front of a sellout Ashton Gate crowd.
Preston had looked set to avoid relegation with a win when Emil Riis headed home a 28th-minute corner from Robbie Brady and Milutin Osmajic doubled the advantage on the hour, breaking clear of City’s backline to slot coolly past Max O’Leary.
But Manning’s men refused to lie down and produced a hero in wing-back Ross McCrorie, who headed them back into the game in the 69th minute and five minutes later raced onto Jason Knight’s ball into the box to fire home the equaliser.
In the end a point was enough for both sides to achieve their objectives, results elsewhere helping to dictate that North End avoided the drop and City finished the season in sixth place. They will face Sheffield United over two legs in their first Championship play-off appearance for 17 years.
Manning, who suffered personal tragedy with the loss of his baby son Theo last October, said: “I guess I went through every emotion imaginable over the 90 minutes and those that followed the final whistle when we had to await the finish of games elsewhere.
“At different times there was frustration and anger with how we were playing. But it was worth all of that to hear the cheer that rang out when our place in the play-offs was confirmed. It will stay with me forever.
“Our fans have been brilliant. The lap of honour was so emotional for me in view of the difficult year it has been personally and I was close to tears three or four times.
“Celebrating with my family was very special. They and the players and staff have helped me through some tough times. Tonight, I am just looking forward to relaxing with a couple of beers.
“All season the players have shown the ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks and they did so again today. The culture we have built is one of sticking together and becoming stronger through difficulties.
“To be honest, I am not giving a thought to facing Sheffield United for the moment. That will all start tomorrow, but of course we have been professional enough to prepare for all eventualities based on today’s results.”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom was serving a touchline ban but said: “I love being close to the action, but today it actually suited me to be away from it because I was able to keep a close eye on scores elsewhere, rather than have that information relayed to me.
“I was really pleased with the performance. They have had two shots on target and scored two goals. We controlled the game without the ball and I was very proud of the players.
“When I came in, I said there was an air of negativity about the place. Today our fans were amazing and we now have to earn the same backing at home where we want it to be a place opponents fear to come.
“We’ve done the job we needed to do on the pitch and now the hard work starts to make us better. A lot of decisions have had to wait until we were safe in the Championship.
“The core of players is there to move forward, but we have to add to it in the right way and we will do.”
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