IN this North West derby match (Saturday 16), Preston North End were handed another injury blow as goalkeeper David Lucas was helped off the pitch after a crushing tackle by Stockport man Ian Moore which resulted in the player being sent off.

With Tepi Moilanen already sidelined through injury, the goalkeeping crisis at Deepdale grows with assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon having to take over between the sticks.

Stockport got off to a sensational start with a goal on the opening minutes.

Some slack marking from a corner kick saw the ball get touched on to Ian Moore and he gave Lucas no chance from six yards to set up an uphill task for North End.

Preston almost went behind right from the kick-off as Colin Murdock played a back pass to Lucas which didn't carry to the keeper and Layton Maxwell was in on goal looking a certain scorer until Lucas dived bravely at his feet to clear the danger.

With Jon Macken injured, North End played new American international Brian McBride up front with Steve Basham.

Having gone behind early on, Preston responded on 15 minutes when County failed to clear the ball in the box and it ran free to Michael Appleton who hit a stunning shot which smacked against the underside of the crossbar and rebounded back in to play. It looked as if the chance was gone but the ball ran in to the path of Paul McKenna and he smashed in a powerful low drive that beat Lee Jones all ends up.

Preston raised their game and came to Stockport looking for the lead and Mark Rankine's perfect cross picked out Basham in the box but his header cleared the crossbar.

Stockport should have gone back in front early in the second-half when Moore burst through to have only Lucas to beat but although the Stockport man did everything right with a thundering low drive.

But Lucas made a brilliant save at full stretch to keep Preston in the match.

Rob Edwards had a chance for North End but Jones made a good save and then McBride set up a chance for David Eyres, but he shot first time when he could have taken the ball on and the chance was gone.

Then came the flashpoint incident as the ball bobbled around in the Preston goalmouth.

Ian Moore went in with his foot high as Lucas dived to clear and the Preston keeper was caught in the neck and shoulder as the referee immediately sent Moore off.

Lucas was unable to continue and had to be helped from the pitch as Kelham O'Hanlon took over in goal.

In the time added on for stoppages, Preston battled hard for a late winner, but Stockport held on valiantly for a point.

Preston stay in touch with the leading pack and can be happy with their start to the new season and they look forward to the trip to Yorkshire on Saturday when they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

David Moyes was happy with a point in the end: "We didn't play as we can and Stockport came at us."

On the performance of his new striker Brian McBride, Moyes said: "I thought that he had an excellent match and we expect good things from him here at Deepdale."

On his debut, McBride said: "The game is faster than I have been used to in the States but I enjoyed it.

"The game is just as physical here but it is a lot fairer."