Franck Moussa's stunning volley hands City a point against the Lilywhites at Deepdale
Coventry City snatched a point at Deepdale in the most dramatic of fashion with a late stunning equalising volley from Franck Moussa.
The Sky Blues midfielder stunned the 10,000-strong attendance with an exquisite volley from more than 20 yards to give City a share of the spoils just when it looked like Kevin Davies' 53rd minute opener would be enough to give the Lilywhites all three points.
Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley named two changes for the clash, bringing back Leon Clarke after he recovered from a groin injury alongside new permanent signing Dan Seaborne to replace youngsters Billy Daniels and Jordan Willis.
Two early corners for the Sky Blues gave the 800 travelling support a positive start to hold on to but it was the hosts who carved out the first two real opportunities of the game after eight minutes.
First a looping troublesome cross found David Buchanan at the back post to head at goal. forcing Dan Seaborne to make a goal line clearance.
Just moments later Paul Gallagher forced a save out of Joe Murphy when he got into the box, only to be disappointed with the final effort from which Murphy made a comfortable save.
Two minutes later Lee Holmes should have done better with an opportunity the Sky Blues presented to him from some untidy defending as he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and had time to take a touch before sending his shot high and wide from just under 18 yards.
Murphy was required again two minutes after the half hour when Joe Garner was put through on goal and tried to apply a finish only to be denied by the fingertips of the City 'keeper who tipped the ball over his bar.
He nearly had to do the same three minutes before the break when Lee Holmes' free kick delivery found Kevin Davies to glance a header beyond the reach of Murphy but also just over the bar.
Davies did steer home the opener eight minutes after the restart though with a tidy finish from eight yards. Paul Gallagher's sweeping low cross from the left picked out the veteran striker to stick out his boot and guide the ball past Murphy with the help of the underside of the crossbar.
The Sky Blues went on to fashion their first real chance of the game on the hour when a glancing header from a corner delivery found its way to Andy Webster who tried a back heel volley to steer the ball home but watched as it popped up over the bar.
City went close again on 67 minutes when Cyrus Christie flashed a low ball across the six-yard box which missed all of the bodies in the area but nearly nestled into the far bottom corner only to be inches away as it rolled wide.
The game took an unexpected turn with four minutes to go when goalscorer Davies was given a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Christie.
The dismissal seemed to do be doing little to help the Sky Blues break down a resolute Preston back line but then Moussa stunned the ground by picking up a loose ball and firing a half volley from nearly 25 yards which nestled into the top corner and give City a share of the spoils with what was the last kick of the game.
Attendance: 10,671 (932 Sky Blue Army)
Teams
Coventry City: Murphy, Adams, Christie, Webster, Seaborne, Baker (c) (Slager 80), Fleck, Thomas, J Clarke (Daniels 53), Moussa, L Clarke
Subs: Burge (GK), Barton, Phillips, Willis, Haynes
Preston: Rudd, T Clarke, Wright, Davies, Holmes (Humphrey 74), Gallagher (King 90), Garner, Buchanan, Welsh (c) (Keane 74), Wiseman, Kilkenny
Subs: Stuckmann (GK), Beavon, Hume, Brownhill