Brighton 0-0 Preston: Seagulls continue unbeaten start to season

Sky Bet Championship leaders Brighton extended their undefeated start to 13 league games but had to be content with a point from a 0-0 home draw against Preston.

Second-half substitute Bobby Zamora failed to spark the Seagulls as North End battled hard throughout to clinch a third successive clean sheet before a crowd of 24,629 at the Amex Stadium.

Albion manager Chris Hughton made three changes with winger Jamie Murphy returning from a three-match suspension in place of Solly March. Midfielder Andrew Crofts was called up for his first start for a year with Beram Kayal banned, and Rohan Ince replaced the injured Dale Stephens.

Brighton's Israel international Tomer Hemed should have hit the target in only the seventh minute following skilful play from strike partner Sam Baldock, but wastefully shot over.

Referee Andy Davies waved away a strong appeal for a Preston penalty two minutes later when Jordan Hugill went down under a challenge by Lewis Dunk.

Preston, making their first-ever visit to the Amex, went close through Irish striker Eoin Doyle, whose glancing header from a Paul Gallagher corner was parried by goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Preston number one Jordan Pickford came to his side's rescue at the other end by diving to keep out a low shot from Murphy after a cleverly-worked free-kick involving Liam Rosenior.

Pickford again did well to hook a curling goalbound free-kick from Murphy over before Albion had a let-off when Alan Browne set up Hugill in front of goal, but his tame shot was easily gathered by Stockdale.

Preston striker Doyle narrowly failed to get on the end of a dangerous cross by Adam Reach shortly after the break.

Reach threatened again with a strong run down the left but the move ended disappointingly for the visitors with skipper Gallagher firing wide.

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Hughton made his first change when veteran striker Zamora, match-winner in the previous two games, was introduced for Hemed in the 62nd minute.

Preston defender Bailey Wright was off-target with a header at the far post following a deep free-kick by Gallagher.

Preston manager Simon Grayson attempted to freshen up his front line by bringing on striker Joe Garner for Doyle with 24 minutes remaining.

Garner wasted no time in making his presence felt and he had a powerful header at the far post cleared off the line by Bruno following a cross by Gallagher.

The Seagulls, having used all their substitutes, had to play eight minutes of added time with 10 men after defender Gaetan Bong was carried off injured.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton:

"The pluses are we didn't lose and ultimately a point is not bad and we are still unbeaten. There will be many ups and downs this season and there'll be games like today when the opposition defend well enough. We have characters in the side. We weren't at our best today and last season this was a game we would lose. We'd rather have the challenge of teams wanting to beat us and the longer it goes on, the tougher it will be."

Preston boss Simon Grayson:

"We have said all season that we've played very well. We have been involved in every game but not had the results. But now we are gaining in confidence. Our 3-0 away win at Charlton in midweek was a really good performance and we tried to get three points at Brighton. You can't be disappointed coming to the leaders and drawing. There was a possibility of us having a penalty in the first half when Lewis Dunk tangled with Jordan Hugill, and on another day we might have got it."