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The fourth official failed to turn up on the night but I'm not so sure the referee was there either given what the visitors were allowed to get away with and on another night they could well have been going home with a heavy collection of cards.
Whilst Martin Paterson lined up for the Clarets, there was a surprise inclusion in the number three shirt for Preston in former Claret Stephen Jordan, recently released by Sheffield United.
We didn't start at all well and Preston had chances before they took the lead on 16 minutes after some poor defending by the Clarets. It was captain Chris Lynch in the end who was forced into giving away a penalty after he lost the ball and Mayor made no mistake from the spot.
After that we did start to get ourselves back into the game. We had half chances and when we did get close we found Preston goalkeeper Andreas Arestidou in good form, particularly with one effort from Dominic Knowles. I kept thinking of our former Greek goalkeeper and maybe shooting from 30 yards, it always seemed to work against us.
Eventually we did get ourselves back into the game just six minutes before half time, and it was the result of a superb ball from the very impressive Marvin Bartley and another official not doing his job correctly.
Bartley's ball found Paterson, who up to this point had struggled to have any impact on the game. Pato was offside but the flag didn't go up and he was allowed to go. He should probably have played Wes Fletcher in but opted to take the ball round Arestidou to leave him with an open goal.
Even so, we weren't able to go in level after more defensive problems gifted Preston a second on 44 minutes to leave us trailing 2-1 at half time.
Burnley might have had a penalty themselves early in the second half, in fact we should have had one. Louis-Rae Beadle was clearly fouled in the box but at least the referee was consistent and again saw nothing.
Almost immediately it should have been all over at 3-1 but for a miss to match that from Accrington last week. Jamie Proctor, a regular scorer for Preston reserves, was clean through and in front of the cricket field stand goal. All he had to do was roll it into the net but somehow, and only he will know how, the shot went wide.
Burnley made changes. Shay McCartan came on for Paterson and then Steven Hewitt replaced Beadle. From then, we began to look much better in a more traditional 4-4-2 formation and started to really pressure Preston.
Fletcher had two efforts blocked, Arestidou came to their rescue again and McCartan got a couple of telling balls in from the right. And then, five minutes from time, we got the equaliser we so richly deserved. It was a superb header from Michael King and suddenly, with five minutes remaining, we had a chance to rescue the game and the season.
We piled forward. Fletcher got a ball right across the six yard box with no one able to get a touch; another effort was blocked and then the 'keeper saved again, this time from Edgar who had joined the penalty box party.
Surely a winner would come, and it did, but at the other end. Preston broke and the ball dropped to Mayor on the corner of the box. He placed his shot right in the far top corner. It was a superb finish. Mayor had completed his hat trick and won the title for Preston but he then let himself, and his club, down very badly with his gesturing to Burnley supporters in the Bob Lord Stand.
It looked as though all hell was going to break out at one point. Stewards were called; Jamie Hoyland got involved and it continued long after the final whistle. Mayor will need to look at himself; his actions were sadly very much out of order and he spoiled the night for his team who might have reflected on that as they got in their cars to go back home (they couldn't afford a bus).
Well done Preston; to claw back the lead we had at Christmas is an excellent achievement. The second half of the season hasn't been anything like as enjoyable for us but over the season there have been some terrific performances, and probably the win over Preston at Chorley being the best of them.
The teams last night were;
Burnley: Josh Cook, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Brian Easton, David Edgar, Marvin Bartley, Louis-Rae Beadle (Steven Hewitt 71), Dominic Knowles, Michael King, Wes Fletcher, Martin Paterson (Shay McCartan 60). Subs not used: Craig Mawson, Tom Anderson, Archie Love, Joe McKee, Ross Wilson.
Preston: Andreas Arestidou, Scott Leather, Stephen Jordan, George Miller, Michael Lamb, Bailey Wright (Daniel Devine 32), Danny Mayor, Michael Potts, Jamie Proctor, Doyle Middleton (Seanan Clucas 63), Neil Dougan (Michael McLennan 56). Subs not used: Matt Dudley, Dominic Comrie, Sam Hart, Brandon Zibaka.