Richard Chaplow's 77th-minute equaliser ensured Preston's unbeaten start to the season continues.

The hosts took a deserved lead after 20 minutes when Sean McAllister timed his run to perfection to smash home from a long throw-in.

Wednesday could have stretched their lead but Jermaine Johnson shot wide from six yards and Deon Burton had a header blocked on the line.

And Chaplow made the Owls pay by rifling home Chris Sedgwick's cross.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws:
"There is a tinge of disappointment because the first-half performance was unbelievable.

"It was fantastic to watch, both wingers were on form and how we came in only 1-0 up amazed me.

"That's football though. You have to take your chances when they come and I did say at half-time that Preston would have a spell themselves."

Preston manager Alan Irvine:
"We didn't work well enough in the first half and Wednesday deserved their lead.

"But after the break we were a lot better. We definitely finished the game stronger and could have won it.

"Everyone would probably like to think I went in at half-time and went ballistic but I didn't. I kept a calm head."

Sheff Wed: Grant, Spurr, McMahon, Beevers, Wood, McAllister, Esajas, O'Connor, Johnson (Smith 71), Tudgay, Burton (Clarke 87).
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Gilbert, Watson.

Booked: Burton, Esajas.

Goals: McAllister 20.

Preston: Lonergan, Mawene, St. Ledger, Hill, Jones, Chaplow, Sedgwick, Nicholson (Wallace 55), McKenna, Whaley (Hawley 60), Mellor.
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Carter, Hart.

Booked: Hill.

Goals: Chaplow 77.

Att: 17,963

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).