Preston North End put in a more valiant display on Saturday afternoon after getting their fifth point of the season against West Brom at Deepdale.

Andrew Hughes put the Lilywhites ahead 78th minute after Leo Leroy’s pretty mundane corner found its way into the pathway of the Welsh defender.

It seemed like North End were going to get their second win of the season, although merely four minutes later, Aune Heggobo equalised for the Black Country side.

A lapse in concentration once again cost PNE, meaning their search for a first win since September goes on.

However, it could’ve been so different if the referee had a change of heart after a controversial decision to give the home side a penalty.

The clock is winding down, North End, for once, are chasing the game and looked as though they might snatch something.

Hughes, high on confidence, found himself on the edge of the box as the ball fell down to him, but instead of unleashing a shot, he was met by the boot of Ousmane Diakite.

The Mali midfielder hacked down the defender after a high boot and studs when into the upper body of Hughes, although the 34-year old got up almost immediately afterwards, the protests and jeers from the players and crowd were already meeting the referee.

Elliot Bell dismissed the calls for the penalty, sticking to his decision much to the anger and frustration to the North End players.

It’s a moment and a decision that cost the home side the opportunity to claim all three points and change the course of the season was taken from Graham Alexander’s side.

Those two points could prove extremely crucial towards the end of the season, a decision that could ultimately decide the fate of the club in the long run.

Preston will need to take it upon themselves and make up for the lost points, only their own performances will decide their own fate at the end of the season, although many will pinpoint this moment if it comes down to a one-to-two point gap .