Preston moved to within a whisker of the Championship play-off places as Brad Potts’ stoppage-time header secured a 2-1 win against relegation-threatened Reading.

Ryan Lowe’s in-form North End side dominated but came within seconds of dropping two potentially priceless points late on.

That was until Potts darted in to head home Andrew Hughes’ cross with seconds remaining to pull Preston level on points with sixth-placed Blackburn.

The hosts made a lively start, an early expansive move culminating with Hughes crossing into the box for Potts, whose diving header was only a foot off target.

Centre-back Liam Lindsay also saw a shot blocked by a Royals defence which looked set for a busy afternoon.

Another slick move from North End almost brought an opener in the 20th minute as Daniel Johnson’s pass was flicked perfectly into Tom Cannon’s path by Potts, but the Everton loanee’s crisp strike whistled inches wide of the post.

It remained one-way traffic and Cannon went close again, dragging a shot wide after some smart approach play from Alvaro Fernandez.

Veteran Andy Carroll headed off target as Reading finally responded, but Preston continued to dominate.

Hughes was denied by Nesta Guinness-Walker’s desperate goal-line block, while skipper Johnson saw a pile-driver flick off a defender before fizzing narrowly wide.

Despite 45 minutes almost totally on the back foot, the resolute Royals’ back-line managed to make it through to the break with their goal intact.

There was an early scare for goalkeeper Joe Lumley soon after the restart when he dropped a routine cross right at the feet of Preston striker Troy Parrott.

However, Lumley managed to wrestle the ball back as the home fans behind the goal rose to their feet.

Fernandez then threatened when Lumley allowed Ben Whiteman’s far-post cross to drift over his head.

North End finally struck their deserved opener in the 56th minute as another smart move down the left ended with Fernandez crossing in for Cannon, who took a touch before expertly slotting home his fourth goal in three games.

The hosts remained hungry for more, with Lumley forced to produce further strong saves from Potts and Cannon as Lowe’s men sought to turn the screw.

But Paul Ince’s Royals stunned the hosts with an 83rd-minute leveller.

Substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was perfectly placed to loop a header over Freddie Woodman direct from Guinness-Walker’s long throw-in, but that proved worthless as Potts struck again late on to send Deepdale wild.

The dramatic late goal sealed Preston a fifth win in six games to keep them firmly in the top-six hunt, while Reading remain in the drop zone after an eighth game without a win.