Preston North End manager Alex Neil labels late Luton equaliser as a 'nightmare come true' as the Lilywhites are held at Kenilworth Road

An 88th minute goal from Hatters substitute Callum McManaman pulled the home side level after Scott Sinclair had given the Lilywhites the lead early in the second half.

The points should have been PNE's, with them bossing long periods of the game.

And conceding so late naturally disappointed Neil who thought his side were worthy of victory.

Neil said: "It was as comfortable a game as we have probably had.

"We handled it well, scored the goal and freshened it up.

"At no stage were we under pressure but then their goal came in a transition.

"We gave the ball away cheaply and then we didn't defend the edge of our box properly as they scored with their one shot on goal.

"All the hard work suddenly goes to waste.

"I thought we played well but we haven't got the three points which is what we wanted."

Sinclair scored his second goal in PNE colours, finishing-off a good counter-attack.

They could have added to the lead with a couple of chances and obviously at 1-0 were always vulnerable to the sucker punch.

Neil said: "There wasn't wave after wave of pressure coming at us, we were really comfortable.

"But you know that 1-0 sometimes isn't enough.

"That was my worse nightmare come true.

"We could have won the game, gone home with three points and built from there.

"The lads played well, they'll be as disappointed as anyone that they didn't win."