Preston North End 2-2 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Ashton Gate

A last-gasp Callum Davidson penalty robbed City of an opening day win at Preston.

City looked to be cruising after goals from Paul Hartley - from the spot - and David Clarkson had City two up at Deepdale.

But Jon Parkin reduced the deficit with eight minutes left and then the drama unraveled in stoppage time as Marvin Elliott was adjudged to have handled in the area.

Dean Gerken, making his competitive debut, was called into action after just ten minutes when he smartly parried out Parkin's powerful volley.

Paul Parry was next to test Gerken, again with a driven effort which the former Colchester stopper could only push away.

City fans were out in force for the season opener at Deepdale

At the other end Nicky Maynard saw a shot saved from an acute angle by Andy Lonergan, and as the striker prodded the loose ball back across goal Clarkson couldn't connect to open the scoring.

Danny Haynes shot over from 30 yards and then skipped by Yaul Mawene but just let the ball slip away at the vital moment.

At the end of the first half Parkin was left free two yards out and as he tried to convert Louis Carey was back on the line to make a goal-saving clearance.

Then in stoppage time Mawene fired over from six yards after Sean St Ledger's header had been blocked.

If Preston ended the first half strongly, it was City who started the second 45 on top.

Maynard saw a curling shot deflected narrowly wide of the far post, before setting up the opener on 49 minutes.

Paul Hartley scores from the penalty spot to make it 1-0

The striker cut between two Preston defenders into the area and was chopped down by Mawene's sliding challenge. Referee Michael Oliver quickly awarded the penalty - cautioning Mawene - and Hartley confidently stepped up to send Lonergan the wrong way for 1-0.

City doubled their advantage just ten minutes later as Danny Haynes' direct run and pass for Clarkson in the box gave the Scotland international the chance to mark his competitive debut with a goal. And Clarkson finished with aplomb, slotting the ball between Lonergan's leg before celebrating with the travelling fans.

Maynard could have killed the game off on the hour when he latched on to St Ledger's dreadful backpass, but his curling effort with the outside of his right foot flashed wide of the far post.

Liam Fontaine and Bradley Orr both put their bodies on the line to block shots from Parry and Richard Chaplow in quick succession.

David Clarkson wheels away after putting City 2-0 in front

Preston finally found the net with eight minutes left as Parkin found space on the edge of the box to lash a half-volley into the bottom corner.

Almost immediately Maynard could have restored the visitors' two-goal advantage but his shot was saved by Lonergan's legs.

Gerken made another smart one-handed stop to deny Parry with time ticking away, but it wasn't over.

And deep into the stoppage time - after the signalled four additional minutes had been played - an Elliott handball was spotted by the referee.

Davidson was assured enough to blast down the middle, with Gerken diving away to his left.