Neil Mellor struck a late equaliser to prevent Preston from sliding to their fifth consecutive away defeat.

Chris Brown had put North End ahead early on, smashing a deep cross from Paul McKenna past David Marshall.

Leroy Lita headed home from six yards to equalise and Ryan Bertrand struck the crossbar before John Kennedy converted David Bell's free-kick.

But Darel Russell saw red after raising his hands to Ross Wallace and Mellor drilled home a loose ball to equalise.

"You can't raise your hand and put it in someone's face, but there was no strength in the push but you just can't even do that.

"He (Russell) should know better and he's very upset with himself because we were winning the game at that particular time.

"I've sat him down and we've looked at it on the laptop and he realises he was wrong to do what he did, even though their player has got his hand wrapped round his neck, but of course that's allowed," he said.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Kennedy, Stefanovic (Doherty 8), Bertrand, Croft (Pattison 75), Clingan, Russell, Bell, Sibierski (Cureton 45), Lita.
Subs Not Used: Hoolahan, Lupoli.

Sent Off: Russell (80).

Booked: Bell, Lita.

Goals: Lita 14, Kennedy 62.

Preston: Lonergan, St. Ledger (Sedgwick 65), Mawene, Wayne Brown, Davidson, Nicholson (Chaplow 65), McKenna, Jones, Wallace, Chris Brown, Elliott (Mellor 59).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Parkin.

Goals: Chris Brown 2, Mellor 81.

Att: 23,225

Ref: P Taylor (Luton).

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