A TYPICALLY full-blooded Boxing Day encounter ended all-square at Deepdale thanks to a late equaliser from Preston substitute Jamie Douglas – just as it looked like Carlisle had done enough to take away the victory.
Carlisle started well and Miller and Zoko caused problems as they linked the play with energy and drive.
The first chance of the day came from a Murphy free-kick from just outside the area, but he got too much on it and it sailed high over the bar.
Carlisle were dealt a blow when Rory Loy was stretchered off after a late challenge from David Gray. The Cumbrians rallied and took the lead from the spot when Liam Miller was dragged to the floor by Jamie McCombe, before dusting himself down to send Stuckman the wrong way for his ninth of the season.
But the lead lasted just three minutes when a long ball over the top found Iain Hume, who slotted the ball past the stranded Adam Collin.
And Preston edged into the lead just past the half-hour when Paul Parry outstripped Michalik for pace and forced the wrong-footed defender to make a rash challenge. The lively midfielder recovered the ball and thundered his penalty kick home.
There was more drama just before the break when Michalik pulled Barton back as he tried to go clear. The referee waved play on as Collin saved magnificently at close range from Hume, and Michalik escaped what looked to be a certain second yellow card.
Nine minutes of time added on worked in favour of the visitors as McGovern sent Simek on the overlap down the right flank.
His low cross found Zoko back to goal, and the Ivorian forward took one touch before clipping the ball into the roof of the net.
Carlisle reclaimed the lead in the second half when Berrett unexpectedly found the ball at his feet 20-yards from goal. It wasn’t the best of connections but a deflection took it past the frustrated keeper.
Noble and Madden came close to putting the result beyond doubt as Carlisle finished strongly, but it was Douglas who salvaged a point for the hosts when he tapped in following a winding run from Coutts deep into time added on.
Manager Greg Abbott said: “We battled and in the end we just didn’t quite make it, but we have seen character and determination yet again. We can’t fault any of our players for what they have done.”
PRESTON NORTH END: Stuckman, Gray, McLaughlin, Morgan, Hume (Douglas 85), Coutts, Barton, Mayor, Parry, Doyle (Tsoumou 72), McCombe.
Not used: Carlisle, Turner, G Miller.
Goals: Hume (22), Parry (31 pen), Douglas (90).
Booked: Gray.
CARLISLE: Collin, Simek, Michalik, Murphy, Robson, Thirlwell, Berrett, Zoko (Madden 86), McGovern, Loy (Noble 16), L Miller.
Not used: Livesey, Taiwo, Ribeiro.
Goals: Miller (19 pen), Zoko (45+6), Berrett (62).
Booked: Michalik, Berrett, Sime).
Att: 17,518. Referee: Mr Steve Rushton.
