Billy Jones' injury-time equaliser denied managerless Middlesbrough all three Championship points as Preston snatched a 2-2 draw at Deepdale.

Boro, expected to name Gareth Southgate's successor on Monday, were on course for their fifth away win in the league this season after goals from Gary O'Neil and Adam Johnson.

Paul Parry briefly brought Preston level; then Jones equalised for a second time in stoppage time to deny Colin Cooper victory in what will probably be his only game as caretaker-manager.

Boro's dominance was rewarded two minutes before the break. O'Neil was fouled by Parry 25 yards out and the former Portsmouth midfielder took the free-kick himself and thundered a shot through the wall and into the bottom corner, giving Lonergan no chance.

Preston equalised just after the hour when Parry swept home a rebound, but the home side's parity was short-lived with Johnson scoring his third goal of the week, sweeping home Lita's left-wing cross in the 67th minute.

Rhys Williams almost put the game beyond Preston when his well-struck shot from the edge of the box struck a post, but it proved a lifeline for the hosts as Jones rescued a point for Preston, heading in Wallace's cross from close range.