Alex Neil insisted Xavi Quintilla should have been sent off at a crucial stage in Preston’s 2-2 draw at old club Norwich City.

The Spanish left back had to take emergency action to swipe Scott Sinclair early in the second period with Preston 2-1 ahead.

Quintilla was yellow carded but Neil was under no doubts the home side would have got a different decision.

“I’m frustrated we didn’t win. There were a couple of decisions in the second half which didn’t go our way,” he said. “Their lad should have been sent-off when he came through the back of Scott Sinclair and brought him down, if it had been going the other way it would have been a sending-off.

“For their second goal, there is a hint of hand ball. I need to look at it again but the ball pops up and it certainly looked like he led with his arm to control it.

“Apart from (Teemu) Pukki’s late chance in the second half, defensively we were very good.

“But at the moment it seems that if a side has a shot on our goal it ends up in the back of the net.”

Neil was delighted with how Preston stood up to the challenge.

“We were unfortunate. It is not often you come down here and feel aggrieved you haven’t won the game,” he said.

“I thought we did enough to win the game, I thought we were the better side for a lot of the match. Norwich is a good side in the Championship, they put a lot of investment in during the summer and I thought we were more than a match for them.

“I was really pleased with their effort, really pleased with their performances and we perform as well as that and leave everything on the pitch most weeks, we will be in a great shape.

“We started well and got the penalty which gave us a deserved lead. The game then turned for five or 10 minutes when we conceded the equaliser. It was a mistake, a simple ball and we should have dealt with it but it ended up in the net.

“Norwich started to make a few passes after that, which they are good at, but towards the half we got back on top of the game which was pleasing.Our second goal was terrific, just before half-time as well.”