Harry Wilson twice hit the woodwork as promotion-hopefuls Derby County hung on for a hard-fought goalless draw against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Jayden Stockley sent his header agonisingly wide for Preston before Wilson crashed his first effort off the crossbar.
Stockley was off target again soon after and the hosts seemed fortunate to keep a full compliment on the field, as Ben Pearson escaped with just a yellow card after a reckless challenge on Tom Lawrence.
The post was next to deny Wilson before the break, his effort cannoned back across goal before Preston could clear.
Preston dominated after the break, but their best chance to claim all three points saw Paul Gallagher denied by Kelle Roos before Brad Potts and Darnell Fisher had successive efforts on the rebound blocked.
The point leaves Derby sixth in the table and at risk of dropping out of the play-off places, with Bristol City capable of leapfrogging Frank Lampard’s Rams with a win against Swansea on Saturday.
Preston, who remain 16th in the table, extended their unbeaten run to four matches, although they have failed to win at home in five games.
After successive wins at QPR and Stoke, Preston returned to Deepdale with new verve and were quick to threaten as Stockley directed an effort just wide.
It was the hosts’ most meaningful attempt in a first half tinged by controversy as Pearson avoided a straight red card for his tackle on Lawrence.
For Derby, Wilson’s two shots against the woodwork were as good as it got as the Rams failed to record a shot on target.
Fisher was foiled by Roos and Potts went close before they both saw efforts clattered away after Gallagher was denied in the 63rd minute.
Both sides pressed for a winner, but neither could be separated on a freezing night in Lancashire.
Preston North End boss Alex Neil said: “Things are positive right now and going in the right direction.
“With what we have got now in terms of the squad I would fully expect us to finish the season strongly.
“I have said to the players that I’m certainly not writing off the play-offs.”
Derby County manager Frank Lampard: “It was a hard-earned point. We had the better chances in the first half, Harry Wilson especially.
“The second half was tough and we were up against it in the first 25 minutes. We brought on fresh legs, but it was a difficult game and we have to be happy with the point.
“Preston have a good team, they have a good mix and play good football. They are difficult opposition. This is a tough place to come.
“We defended well and put our bodies on the line, which we need if we are to be successful.”
Line-ups
Preston
- 1Rudd
- 2Fisher
- 14Storey
- 6Davies
- 16Hughes
- 4PearsonBooked at 28mins
- 12GallagherSubstituted forBarkhuizenat 79'minutes
- 44Potts
- 8Browne
- 24Maguire
- 20StockleySubstituted forNmechaat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Earl
- 5Clarke
- 11Johnson
- 18Ledson
- 25Ripley
- 29Barkhuizen
- 45Nmecha
Derby
- 21Roos
- 23Holmes
- 6Keogh
- 5Tomori
- 46MaloneBooked at 90mins
- 4Bryson
- 17Evans
- 9WaghornSubstituted forBennettat 65'minutes
- 7Wilson
- 10Lawrence
- 28NugentSubstituted forWisdomat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Carson
- 2Wisdom
- 11Jozefzoon
- 15Johnson
- 20Bennett
- 39MacDonald
- 44Huddlestone
- Referee:
- Darren Bond
- Attendance:
- 12,124
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away0
- Corners
- Home11
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away17
Live Text
Match ends, Preston North End 0, Derby County 0.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 0, Derby County 0.
Booking
Scott Malone (Derby County) is shown the yellow card.
Declan Rudd (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Craig Bryson (Derby County).
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Mason Bennett.
Attempt blocked. Ben Davies (Preston North End) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Alan Browne with a cross.
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by George Evans.
Ben Davies (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mason Bennett (Derby County).
Foul by Tom Barkhuizen (Preston North End).
Craig Bryson (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Andrew Hughes with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Tom Lawrence (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Bryson with a headed pass.
Offside, Derby County. Tom Lawrence tries a through ball, but Mason Bennett is caught offside.
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Andrew Hughes.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Tom Barkhuizen replaces Paul Gallagher.
Offside, Preston North End. Paul Gallagher tries a through ball, but Darnell Fisher is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ben Pearson.
Sean Maguire (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mason Bennett (Derby County).
Andrew Hughes (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Harry Wilson (Derby County).
Attempt blocked. Duane Holmes (Derby County) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mason Bennett.
Lukas Nmecha (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Andre Wisdom (Derby County).
Attempt missed. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ben Pearson.
Attempt blocked. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Darnell Fisher with a cross.
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Duane Holmes.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Andre Wisdom replaces David Nugent.
Brad Potts (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mason Bennett (Derby County).
Sean Maguire (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Duane Holmes (Derby County).
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Lukas Nmecha replaces Jayden Stockley.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Mason Bennett replaces Martyn Waghorn.
Attempt missed. Alan Browne (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Brad Potts.
Attempt blocked. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Hughes.
Attempt saved. Brad Potts (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Richard Keogh.
References
- ^ Relive Preston’s goalless draw with Derby (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Line-ups (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Match Stats (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Live Text (www.bbc.co.uk)
