Preston North End 1-1 Wrexham: Harrison Armstrong goal cancels out Kieffer Moore effort at Deepdale

Just four points separated the sides ahead of kick-off, and the open nature of the early stages in Lancashire made for exciting viewing.

The visitors made a dream start as goalkeeper Daniel Iversen was unable to claw away James McClean’s teasing cross, leaving Moore with the simple task of tapping into the net from a yard out at the back post.

Wrexham spurned a fine opening to make it 2-0 soon after, as Dan Scarr could only head George Dobson’s corner over the bar from close range.

The frenetic opening continued as Okonkwo palmed away Alfie Devine’s goal-bound strike, less than a minute after Dobson produced a vital block to deny Lewis Dobbin following a sublime solo run.

The Lilywhites continued to ask questions of a Wrexham defence that conceded just one goal in five Championship matches in November, with Pol Valentin firing an effort over.

McClean was then alert to clear Liam Lindsay’s tame shot off his own line before Jordan Storey headed wide from a corner.

And when Okonkwo spectacularly denied Thierry Small twice in quick succession in the final seconds of the first half, Paul Heckingbottom must have been left wondering what his side needed to do to get level in the contest.

Having produced a titanic defensive effort of their own in the first half, Wrexham almost went further ahead seven minutes after the restart as McClean nodded goalwards after Iversen parried Moore’s initial effort, but the goalkeeper scrambled well to parry the ball to safety.

Nathan Broadhead then drilled wide from around 20 yards out after being gifted space to shoot by the Preston defence.

Having gone close in the first half, Small rifled against the inside of the post on the hour mark as Preston continued to be left frustrated in front of goal.

George Thomason and Storey both had decent headed efforts as the contest remained finely poised – with Okonkwo leaping to keep out Lindsay’s header soon after.

But Preston’s pressure eventually told in the 81st minute as Armstrong’s thumping hit from close range flew beyond Okonkwo.

Storey and substitute Josh Windass then had efforts to win it in the final stages, although the points were shared as Wrexham – unbeaten in nine league games – drew for the ninth time in the league this term – with Preston now unbeaten in three games.