ROVERS grabbed a late equaliser to earn themselves a well-deserved draw against league leaders Preston Athletic.

Both sides made a bright start to the game before Preston were the first to pose a threat after 12 minutes when a Darren McGlashan through-ball sent Phil Hobbins racing into the Peebles box.

Just when Hobbins attempted to chip the ball over an exposed John Nisbet from 14 yards, the Peebles 'keeper brought off an excellent two-handed save.

Clear-cut scoring chances were few and far between at both ends until Peebles twice came close to breaking the deadlock in quick succession on the half-hour mark.

From a Michael Holness corner-kick on the left, Andrew Williamson struck the Preston crossbar with a header from close in.

However, the ball then rebounded back to Ronald Fleming out on the right before he crossed it to Steven Galloway, who was just off target with a flashing angular header.

Shortly afterwards, Preston 'keeper Ross Gilpin foiled Michael McKenzie with a fine two-handed diving save. Just before half-time, after collecting a Frazer Henderson pass, McGlashan fired the ball narrowly over the Peebles crossbar with a spectacular effort from long range.

But it was Preston who opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when after latching onto a hefty clearance from the Athletic 'keeper, Frazer Henderson coolly lobbed the ball over a stranded Nisbet from 20 yards.

Play continued to rage from end to end as after a neat Peebles build-up, Nicky Cairns was just off target with a good effort from long range, while Nisbet foiled Henderson with a fine save.

Peebles were pressing hard for the equaliser as after a Cairns free-kick from 20 yards had been blocked by the Athletic defence, Peter Conaghan lashed the loose ball just wide of the Preston left-hand post.

Back again came the Rovers as from a Galloway pass, Ronald Fleming seemed almost certain to score with a blistering shot from 25 yards until Gilpin brought off a brilliant two-handed diving save at full stretch.

But Peebles were deservedly back onto level terms after 83 minutes when after the Preston defence had failed to clear a Williamson left-wing cross, the loose ball broke kindly to Scott Watson who beat Gilpin with a terrific shot from 20 yards into the top right-hand corner of the Preston net.

Peebles came close to grabbing a winner two minutes from full-time when Gary Knox fired the ball just inches over the Preston crossbar with a free-kick attempt from 20 yards.

Peebles Rovers F.C. would kindly like to thank Villeneuve Wines Ltd. for sponsoring this match. Peebles Rovers. J. Nisbet, Ron. Fleming, S. Galloway, J. Girdwood, A. Williamson, P. Conaghan, N. Cairns, M. McKenzie, G. Knox, S. Watson, M. Holness. Subs. D.Urey, D. Knox, C. Collin, S. Hamilton (not used).