Preston North End vs Norwich City. Sky Bet Championship.
DeepdaleAttendance13,038.
Saturday 21 April 2018 18:26, UK
Preston moved a point closer to the Championship play-off spots but missed a big opportunity to gain significant ground as they were held 0-0 at home by Norwich.
There were several chances passed up by the Lilywhites in the second half and they also struck the bar through Paul Gallagher before the break.
A point moves Preston to within two points of the top six with two games remaining - away at Sheffield United and home to Burton.
Preston began the day three points off the Championship play-off places, with seven teams separated by just four points.
They cut Norwich open after nine minutes when Alan Browne slipped Callum Robinson clean through but the forward was unable to sort his feet out and Angus Gunn collected the ball.
James Maddison has been involved in 48 per cent of Norwich's goals this season and their top-scorer was denied a 15th league goal by a superb block from Ben Pearson after 13 minutes.
Daniel Farke's side, winless in their previous six away games, threatened again four minutes later but Josh Murphy's 25-yard strike went harmlessly over the bar.
But Preston came close to scoring on the half-hour mark as Gallagher's dipping free-kick from the edge of the area cannoned back off the underside of the bar.
The Lilywhites began the second half on the front foot as Robinson drove the ball low across the face of goal after 47 minutes but there was nobody there in a white shirt to meet it.
Former Norwich manager Alex Neil played his hand after 53 minutes, making a double change to bring on Sean Maguire and Josh Harrop.
The two nearly combined to give Preston the lead on the hour mark, as Maguire carried the ball the length of the field before trying to play Harrop in - only for a last-ditch Jamal Lewis tackle to deny the hosts.
Harrop was providing that spark from midfield and created an opening for himself after 75 minutes, but his low shot was beaten away by Gunn.
Just two minutes later Billy Bodin came within inches of the goal Preston desperately wanted to boost their play-off chances, curling wide from 18 yards.
The chances were coming thick and fast for Preston and Robinson's pinpoint cross picked out Maguire after 78 minutes but he headed over, unmarked, six yards out.
It was to prove a crucial miss, as Preston pushed for a winner that ultimately proved beyond them.
Alex Neil: "We are all a bit frustrated because we certainly did enough to win the game. It's about putting those opportunities in the net when you are on top. I don't think Norwich had a shot on target all game.
"Paul Gallagher showed great quality with that free-kick in the first half. You just need that little bit of luck at times. One positive we can take is that before the game it was three points, after the game it's now two points so we've clawed some points back which is a bit fortunate. We've now got a really important game Saturday which we need to win. If we don't then unfortunately our play-off hopes have gone."
Daniel Farke: "I'm proud of my lads' behaviour but we would only be 100 per cent content if we won the game. I thought we were pretty much in control of the game, the weather was pretty warm but we showed that attitude and commitment, I'm very proud of the players.
"The commitment is always there but the attitude to keep a clean sheet was there. In general we gave everything, to have this attitude at this part of the season is outstanding."
