Pearson clings to positives

NIGEL PEARSON was in upbeat mood despite seeing Bristol City fail to win on home soil for the 13th successive game.

Ten of those results have come since Pearson took charge.

But he saw more than enough to believe the home hoodoo – having not won at Ashton Gate since January 26 – will soon be over.

“If we continue to play with that energy, drive, togetherness and commitment that elusive win will come,” said the Robins boss.

“I have a good group of players, who want to do well. They are more frustrated than I am in the dressing room about today’s outcome.

“There were a lot of positives for us to take from the game. Both sides could have won it, but we forced the best saves from their goalkeeper.

“The players are desperate to get that home win for the supporters.”

Preston goalkeeper Dan

Iversen made flying saves to keep out superb long range efforts from Rob Atkinson in the first half and Han-noah Massengo in the second.

But the visitors were also a threat, Sean Maguire hitting the crossbar on 39 minutes and firing inches wide from Dan Johnson’s pass just before the break.

And, while Preston came under pressure in the closing stages, they defended strongly to earn a deserved point.

North End’s Frankie Mcavoy said: “The result could have gone either way, but I felt we edged the game and had chances to win it, particularly

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 7; Vyner 6 (Wells 77, 6), Kalas 7, Atkinson 8, Baker 6; Massengo 8, James 7, King 6 (Semenyo 69, 6), Pring 6 (Dasilva 69, 6); Weimann 7, Martin 6.

Unused subs: O’leary, Bakinson, Scott, Palmer.

PRESTON: Iversen 9; Storey 7, Bauer 7, Hughes 7; van den Berg 7, Whiteman 7, Ledson 6 (Mccann 73, 6), Earl 7; Johnson 8 (Murphy 79, 6); Maguire 7, Jakobsen 6 (Browne 73, 6).

Unused subs: Rudd, Cunningham, Lindsay, Potts.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dan Iversen. The Preston goalkeeper made top class saves and hardly put a foot wrong.