Joe Garner bagged a wonder goal as Preston North End held Rotherham United to a 1-1 draw in their League One semi-final playoff at Deepdale this evening.
Alex Revell fired the visitors into a half-time lead courtesy of an impressive solo effort on the 20-minute mark.
However, the Lilywhites ensured that no team goes into next Thursday's return leg with an advantage after Garner equalised in fine fashion early in the second half.
Below, you can find Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of the events as they unfolded.
Good evening folks and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the League One semi-final first leg between Preston North End and Rotherham United at Deepdale. The hosts will be looking to boost their hopes of a first Championship return since 2011, while United have been absent from the second tier since way back in 2005.
If their last meeting is anything to by then we're in for fireworks here ladies and gentlemen! Both sides met here back in February and played out a pulsating 3-3 thriller, with Lee Frecklington equalising late on for Rotherham. Considering what is at stake, though, you have to imagine that this one will be a little more cagey than last time out.
As little as one point seperated both teams in the final league table following an arduous 46-game season over the past 10 months. But despite finishing above the Lilywhites, Rotherham head into the clash as underdogs according to the bookmakers, a label which manager Steve Evans does not contest. "They are the favourites and I don't think any manager in League One would say any different," he told reporters earlier this week. "This is a huge task to beat them I'm not going to kid anyone about that. This is a big game for us."
What a great job Evans has done at the New York Stadium since replacing Andy Scott a little over two years ago. Evans led the Millers out of League Two last season and here they stand, one of four clubs - along with Leyton Orient and Peterborough United - who could be playing Championship footie in August. It's the stuff of fairytales really.
However, Evans's opposition manager today, Simon Grayson, is very capable of ending Rotherham's back-to-back promotion bid - and he's got the CV to prove it!
Based on the fact that he has earned promotion into the Championship with three seperate clubs - two coming via the playoffs - you could say that Grayson specialises in helping his respective teams reach Engand's second tier. But will he have the midas touch when it comes to doing for Preston what he achieved with Blackpool, Leeds United and Huddersfield town, though? Well the omens are certainly against the Lilywhites here.
Call it a hoodoo. Call it a curse. Call it a simple case of bad luck, but Preston have lost a record EIGHT playoff ties in the past, and have never achieved promotion via this method in their long history. You know what they say about records, though - they're there to be broken and in Grayson, Preston have a man who knows what it takes to achieve promotion via this last-four shootout.
If he is to buck that trend he'll need to start by getting a positive result here, and to do that he'll need to get his team selection spot-on because only League One champions Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored more than Rotherham's haul of 86 goals this season. Speaking of team selections, let's get cracking on the starting lineups for the encounter shall we:
TEAM NEWS: ROTHERHAM: Collin; Brindley, Skarz, Arnason, Morgan; Frecklington, Milsom, Pringle, Tavernier; Revell; Thomas
PRESTON: Rudd; Laird, Wright, Clarke, King; Holmes, Welsh, Gallagher, Brown, C Davies; Garner
Some BIG news to come out of Rotherham's starting lineup is that star striker Keiran Agard has not been named in the squad to face the Lilywhites today. Instead, Wes Thomas, who bagged a brace in the 2-1 win away to Swindon Town last week, spearheads the attack once again, while Alex Revell returns to the side.
We spoke about Preston's perceived hoodoo heading into this clash, but you wonder if the absence of 25-goal Agard will buoy the Lilywhites here today. Fortunately for Grayson's side, Preston are not without the services of their talisman Joe Garner, who leads the attack.
STATISTIC! Before we have a look at Preston's danger man here today, chew on this my friends: the fourth-placed team has gone on to win the League One playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Good omen for Rotherham. Ominous for Preston. History certainly does not favour the Lilywhites here folks but news of Agard's omission is huge.
DANGER MAN: You would hope that the Rotherham defence got a good night's rest last night because they'll need to be sharp to combat the danger of Joe Garner. The striker has netted 24 times in all competitions this season but, having failed to score in any of his last four outings, the 26-year-old just might be saving himself for the big occasion. Stay tuned to find out!
Quick to play down his impressive playoff record, could Garner be the "hero" that Grayson feels will have a big say on Preston's chances in this tie? Speaking to reporters on Friday, the manager said: "I've not got a magic wand that people say you're guaranteed promotion because you employ me.
"I've been fortunate that I've got a couple of promotions but that's because I've worked hard, I've got a good staff underneath me, I've got some good players, and I enjoy what I'm doing.
"We always talk about someone being a hero and there's going to be someone who's going to be a hero."
He hasn't got a "magic wand" but he has enjoyed highly successful spells elsewhere and if Preston get through this tie you have to fancy that Grayson's experience will play a key role in that.
PREDICTION! Right, it's getting serious now ladies and gents. With around 15 minutes to go until kickoff here, it's time to offer my prediction. Unfortunately I forgot to charge my crystal ball last night so I'm completely on my own. But given the fact that just one point separated both teams in the final table, I see it being a close affair and, with Grayson's know-how on this stage, I'm going for 2-1 Preston victory on the day.
Some 2,000 United supporters have made the trip to Lancashire today. Can they be the 12th man? 10 minutes to go until kickoff.
Both sets of players have been put through their paces by the respective coaching staffs and line up in the tunnel ahead of kickoff.
Right, the players are entering the frey here to a rapturous applause by both sets of fans. We're moments from getting underway here at Deepdale folks!
INJURY UPDATE: Keiran Agard has been left out of the matchday squad after tweaking a hamstring injury in training. This is a big blow for the visitors.
KICKOFF! Wes Thomas and Alex Revell get us underway at Deepdale. It's a HUGE 90 minutes ahead for both these clubs as they look to make inroads toward returning to the Championship.
PENALTY APPEAL: Strong start to the clash by Preston here as Joe Garner goes down in the area but sees his appeal dismissed by the referee. Collins comfortably takes the resulting corner.
Rotherham also enjoying a decent start to the encounter as Ben Pringle's dangerous free kick is cleared by the Preston defence. They'll have to keep an eye on Pringle, who has bagged 12 assists this season.
Alex Revell's blushes are spared by the linesman after the striker planted a free header straight into the arms of Declan Rudd from close range. We saw in the earlier clash with Leyton Orient and Peterborough that offside decisions are not always awarded so the hosts will need to take that moment as a warning sign.
The Lilywhites enjoying plenty of possession here but have so far struggled to get beyond Rotherham's back four. They're not in short of support, though, as Deepdale sees its highest attendance of the season here.
SUBSTITUTION: We've got our first substitute already and it's the match ball! Like the game itself, it has become slightly flat, prompting the referee to order a replacement from the sidelines, much to the humour of manager Simon Grayson.
Kari Arnason swings a teasing cross into the danger zone but it trickles out for a throw in. It didn't come to much, but Rotherham's point of attack is clear here. That right flank has been used quite often already by the visitors.
GOAL! GOAL! PRESTON 0-1 ROTHERHAM (REVELL)
Revell gives Rotherham a crucial lead here. The striker gallops away from Bailey Wright following Lee Frecklington's hopeful ball and, with just Rudd to beat, slots it beyond the goalkeeper to give Evans's side an early advantage.
SUBSTITUTION: Some bad news has followed for United, though, as defender Richard Brindley, who was seen clutching his hamstring prior to the goal, has been replaced by Michael O'Connor.
Good response by the hosts. Craig Davies flashes a half volley off Joe Skarz, but Garner was not quick enough to respond to the loose ball and Rotherham clear the danger.
Craig Morgan is perhaps a touch fortunate not to find himself in referee Ian Williamson's book, as the defender goes through the back of Garner but has only earned a telling-off from the official. That hasn't gone well with the Deepdale faithful!
Some worrying signs from the Rotherham bench as goalscorer Alex Revell does not look to be moving too freely out there. Having lost Agard to injury before kick off, and Brindley a number of minutes ago, another change would plunge Evans's pre-game plan into further disarray if Revell goes off.
Preston have boasted 64% of possession since the goal but Rotherham boast the only stat that matters courtesy of Revell's 20th-minute strike. Very comfortable for the visitors so far!
Rotherham are mounting pressure and look keen on bagging a second before the break as United's attackers force three successive corners but, despite dangerous crosses from Pringle, Preston clear the danger.
The way it's going Grayson will be thankful if his team head into the interval with just the one-goal deficit. Rotherham have dominated in the last few minutes and, although they're yet to threaten a second goal, a cushion does not look far away at all!
Both managers are out in their technical area here. There's no doubt over who is the happier of the two bosses, but Brindley's injury, coupled with a possible problem with Revell, will make the half-time oranges taste less sweet for the visitors.
TWO MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME ADDED
HALF-TIME: PRESTON 0-1 ROTHERHAM UNITED
So, there we have it folks. There's much to ponder for Simon Grayson in this 15-minute interval as Preston have been out-fought and out-played for large spells throughout the opening 45 minutes and Rotherham have taken a deserved half-time lead into the break through Alex Revell.
If you've just joined us, welcome and note that Keiran Agard was omitted from the starting lineup after tweaking a hamstring injury, while Richard Brindley was forced off with the same problem midway through the first half. It also remains to be seen how healthy Revell is to re-take the field, as the striker was seen moving gingerly since opening the scoring on 20 minutes.
STATISTIC! Preston have scored most of their goals this season between the 46th and 70th-minute mark. The Lilywhites won't be hitting the panic button just yet and, with the likes of veterans Stuart Beavon and Kevin Davies on the bench, Grayson has options. How many free kicks and penalties has Davies won throughout his career? Answers on a postcard!
Players and coaching staff returning to the field here ahead of the second half. Can Preston get back into it or can Rotherham go on to take a major advantage into Thursday's second leg at the New York Stadium? Time will tell. Stay tuned folks!
SECOND-HALF UNDERWAY! Here we go ladies and gents. The Lilywhites kick us off once again for the remaining 45 minutes.
GOAL! GOAL! PRESTON 1-1 ROTHERHAM (GARNER)
Stunning. Just absolutely stunning from Joe Garner, who gets Preston back on level terms in superb fashion! The 26-year-old chested a looping ball, knocked it over the head of Joe Skarz before volleying past Collin from outside the box all in one movement. The ball never touched down the ground until it hit the net. That was Garner's 24th of the season but he has most certainly kept the best until last! Incredible.
CHANCE! Oh my word it could, and probably should, be 2-1 to Rotherham here. Lee Frecklington races through on goal from a Wes Thomas ball but goalkeeper Declan Rudd was out quickly to smother the midfielder and thwart him before getting a shot off. How big of a moment could that be!
Frecklington looks to have taken a knock in missing that opportunity but the midfielder is okay to carry on. Evans took his Rotherham team paintballing in the build-up to this clash, but the Millers are in a real war here. Make no mistake about it.
SUBSTITUTION: Double substitution here as Kevin Davies replaces his namesake Craig Davies, while Claude Davis comes in for Frecklington for the visitors.
CHANCE! Rotherham have really threatened since being pegged back and Robert Milsom could have fired the visitors ahead, but the midfielder thrashed narrowly wide of the post from just outside the box. United really must take one of these chances when someone of Garner's calibre is at the other end!
Kevin Davies, who appears to have somehow grown curly hair since leaving the Premier League, has just a won a free kick outside the area. This is precisely what he was brought on to do as Paul Gallagher tees up the resulting set-piece, but the winger fired well over the bar.
United break with a swift counter attack but Kari Arnason, who let fly from just outside the area, saw his tame effort roll into the arms of Declan Rudd. At the other end, Davies forces Collin into dropping the ball, but no Preston player was on hand to clear up the rebound.
DOUBLE BOOKING: Lilywhites captain John Welsh becomes the first player to receive a yellow card as the skipper is penalised for a challenge on Pringle. Australian Bailey Wright was also cautioned for an earlier offence.
SUBSTITUTION: Lee Holmes makes way for Chris Humphrey as Grayson's final roll of the dice. This one is too tight to call but, by the looks of it, it seems neither manager is settling a point as yet. 13 minutes to go here folks. 1-1.
SUBSTITUTION: Rotherham's Haris Vuckic comes on for James Tavernier for the final eight minutes. Preston have been very much on top here in the last few minutes but, as was the case in the first half, they failed to convert their possession into clear-cut chances.
Garner misses a half-chance to fire the hosts ahead by blazing over the bar from outside the box. Suffice to say that the striker lacked the brilliant technique that was evident from his goal earlier in the half.
Heading into the final few minutes of normal time here and as it stands Rotherham have created two of the best chances since Preston drew level just after the break. Will they have further opportunities and, most importantly, will they take them? Two minutes until stoppage time!
The stadium announcer at Deepdale has just awarded Joe Garner with Man of the Match. If that wonder goal ultimately helps Preston into the Championship he could be named as their man of the decade!
BOOKING Joe Skarz is the latest to be booked by the referee as the fourth official announces that there will be a minimum of five minutes added on. As the old adage goes, it only takes a second to a score a goal. Plenty of time for someone to nick this yet.
CHANCE! Perhaps they awarded the man of the match award too soon because Rotherham would have nicked the win if not for the intervention of goalkeeper Declan Rudd, who produced a stunning reflect save to keep out Haris Vuckic's header at the death. This was the second time in the game that the shot-stopper has come to his team's rescue.
FULL-TIME: PRESTON NORTH END 1-1 ROTHERHAM UNITED
Well, there we have it ladies and gentlemen. Rotherham United are denied a first-leg victory at Deepdale after Joe Garner's wonder strike on 48 minutes proved enough for Preston North End to take a 1-1 draw into next Thursday's return fixture.
It could have been different for the visitors, though, who had two excellent chances to take the lead again. First, Lee Frecklington spurned a one-on-one with goalkeeper Declan Rudd, before the shot-stopper replicated his heroics in the dying moments by tipping a Haris Vuckic header over the bar.
Anyway, that's all from me folks. I hope you have enjoyed our commentary of the event and be sure to tune in tomorrow as Sports Mole brings you full coverage on what promises to be a memorable final day of the Premier League season.
