Declan John played 45 minutes as Wanderers’ B Team drew 2-2 against Preston North End Reserves in the Central League.

It was the Welshman’s first appearance since the 3-0 win against Leeds United Under-21s in the Papa Johns Trophy last month.

Danny Jones put Matt Craddock’s side in front but the visitors hit back through Mikey O’Neill’s header.

Finlay Lockett appeared to have won it for Wanderers but substitute Kitt Nelson struck in stoppage time.

The Whites took an early lead when Jones slotted home from close range after a good move down the right flank.

Wanderers then gave the ball away in their own half but Finlay Cross-Adair failed to make them pay, sending an effort wide of the post.

But Preston got back on level terms on the half-hour mark when O’Neill headed home after getting on the end of Matthew Olosunde’s flick on.

Cross-Adair then sent a looping header wide, before Nelson Khumbeni spurned a big chance from Lockett’s pinpoint delivery on the stroke of half time.

After the break, Matthew Tweedley tried his luck with a first-time effort from distance but it wasn’t troubling James Pradic in the Preston goal.

Jones then did well to win the ball back high up the pitch but his cross was gathered by Pradic with Lockett waiting at the far post.

The Whites regained the lead midway through the second half when Lockett showed good feet to make space in the box and provided a ruthless finish.

It seemed like they had done enough to secure the three points but Nelson found himself in the right place to slot home after Luke Hutchinson had initially done well to keep out Cross-Adair’s effort from close range.

Craddock’s side have now taken seven points from their opening five Central League fixtures and are back in action next week when they make the trip to Huddersfield Town Reserves.

Hutchinson, Sackey, Senior, Tutte, John (Conway), Khumbeni, Tweedley, Pettifer, Lockett, Grivosti, Jones

Unused: Chapman, Conway, Brown, Halford, Sharples

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