PRESTON BLANKED Drab draw in play-off race

ALEX NEIL has urged his Preston strikers to rediscover their scoring touch if they want to challenge for a place in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites are the Championship’s lowest scorers away from home after the drab goalless draw at Cardiff opened the door for their play-off rivals to steal a march.

And North End boss Neil was left frustrated by his side’s inability to break the deadlock after dominating the game.

“It’s frustrating, we’ll score harder chances than we had today,” said Neil.

“Everybody who watched the game would have recognised we were far the better team. Cardiff didn’t have a shot on target.

“That little bit of quality wasn’t there, whether it be the final pass or shot.

“We had unbelievable opportunities in terms of overloads and transitions but the final pass wasn’t good enough.”

Preston looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough during a first-half that contained just one shot on target.

Sean Maguire hit the side netting twice before playing a cleverly disguised through ball in behind the Cardiff defence.

The Irishman had a clear sight at goal but was denied by the lightning quick reactions of Bluebirds’ keeper Neil Etheridge.

Then Cardiff almost broke the deadlock against the run of play after Leandro Bacuna drove across halfway with the ball.

He lost possession on the edge of the area but the ball broke free for Lee Tomlin, who dragged a low shot inches wide. Maguire

CARDIFF had one final first-half chance after latching onto Ben Pearson’s long ball but he failed to find the target again.

Preston midfielder Alan Browne should have done better after he won the ball 30 yards from goal.

Browne had time and space to compose himself with the Bluebirds scrambling back, but shot into the hands of Etheridge.

Pearson had a late effort parried away as both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Joe Ralls was a surprise absentee for Cardiff and will be out over Christmas after he broke a hand.

Cardiff boss Neil Harris said: “It’s a blow, we just got him back and now he will miss a period with a broken hand he picked up in the Leeds game.”

PRESTON