Preston remain on the fringes of the play-offs after battling back for a 1-1 draw at Barnsley.
Tykes denied third win in a row
Preston North End remain on the fringes of the play-offs after battling back for a 1-1 draw at Barnsley.
Experienced striker Jamie Cureton's goal on 16 minutes appeared to be setting the Tykes on course for a third win in a row.
But on-loan winger Ross Wallace earned Preston a point inside the final 20 minutes by firing home a stunning free-kick.
Preston were first to show their attacking intent when, after sloppy midfield play from Barnsley, Wallace surged into the penalty area but his goal-bound shot was charged down by Stephen Foster.
The hosts struggled to get a foothold on the game early on and it was Preston who looked the most dangerous going forward with the long ball over the top a favoured ploy.
But it was Barnsley who took the lead with their first effort on goal in the 17th minute through Cureton.
The former Norwich striker pounced on the loose ball inside the area before showing great improvisation to lob the ball with the outside of his foot over stranded Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.
Game stretched
Preston almost hit back in the 35th minute when Barry Nicholson's whipped cross found Stephen Elliott in the area but his header was brilliantly saved by Muller.
With the game now stretched the Tykes almost doubled their lead when, following a swift counter-attack, Rob Kozluk rounded two players into the box but when faced with Lonergan his composure deserted him and he lifted the ball over the crossbar.
The visitors had a good opportunity to level matters 10 minutes after the break when Foster was adjudged to have fouled Chris Brown on the edge of the area and from the resulting free-kick Wallace shaved the outside of the post with a curling effort.
Moments later Barnsley substitute Mounir El Haimour had a great chance to test Lonergan with a volley which he wastefully sent over the bar.
As the Tykes continued to push forward De Silva produced a moment of real Brazilian magic when he sent a volley from 35 yards crashing against the crossbar with Cureton inches away from tapping home the rebound.
Preston substitute Neil Mellor had a good opening midway through the second half but from just inside the area he shot straight at Muller.
The match turned into a real end-to-end battle with both sides knowing the next goal would be critical and El Haimour was again close to grabbing that goal with a shot which curled just wide of the upright.
Just as it looked as though Barnsley were going to press home their advantage the hosts grabbed an equaliser in controversial circumstances with 15 minutes to go.
De Silva was adjudged to have conceded a foul on the edge of the area much to the dismay of the midfielder and his team-mates, and Wallace took full advantage of the chance as he curled a superb free-kick into the top corner.
