Preston strike late to dent Blackburn's play-off hopes

A late Dominic Hyam cost Blackburn Rovers two points at Deepdale in a dramatic Lancashire derby.

Despite a fast-paced game between two potential promotion candidates and fierce rivals, it took a long time for the game to produce goals.

Sammie Szmodics looked to have briefly thought he had put Blackburn ahead in cheeky fashion when he used his hand to divert a cross into Freddie Woodman’s goal. Clearly inspired by Andy Carroll’s failed attempt for Reading midweek, Szmodics confidentially celebrated the goal and then had the audacity to protest a clear handball being ruled out – the Rovers man got a yellow card for his troubles.

It went from the ridiculous to the sublime for Szmodics though when he did well to turn inside the area and roll the ball into the far corner out of the reach of Woodman to give Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side a late lead.

There was late drama to be had in the North West, though. It all began deep into stoppage time when Preston were throwing everything at Blackburn to get back into it. The ball then fell kindly for Ryan Hedges who was in behind the Lilywhites’ defence with only the goalkeeper to beat. 

However, Hedges' attempt for a chip was read by Woodman who caught the effort and set Preston on an attack. Liam Delap did well to shrug off his defender and put in a low ball from the right that bounced off of Dominic Hyam and into the back of the net.

It was another cruel blow for Blackburn and a result that sees them out of the top six with Burnley (who missed the chance to lift the title after losing to QPR today) up next in another local derby.

A point for Preston keeps them within an outside chance of making the play-offs but they will at the very least need to win their two remaining games away to Sheffield United and at home to Sunderland.

A 94th-minute equaliser for @pnefc against @Rovers - and the Play-Offs are wide open!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/yh51f6PwGD

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 22, 2023