Strugglers Huddersfield hold Preston to goalless draw
Both sides had to settle for a point that left Huddersfield two points above the relegation zone and Preston six adrift of the play-off places.
Huddersfield and Preston played out a goalless draw that did little to enhance their positions at either end of the table.
After a game of very few chances, both sides had to settle for a point that left Huddersfield two points above the relegation zone and Preston six adrift of the play-off places.
Preston substitute Scott Sinclair spurned the best chance of the match in stoppage time when he dragged his shot wide following fellow substitute Sean Maguire’s flick-on.
Huddersfield had climbed out of the bottom three on Wednesday after their 3-0 win at Birmingham had halted a run of three straight defeats, but they never went close to following up with another vital three points.
Preston’s winless streak was extended to seven matches and they appear to have run out of ideas in their bid to rekindle their play-off challenge.
Trevoh Chalobah and Alex Pritchard returned to Huddersfield’s starting line-up, while Preston made four changes, with Patrick Bauer, Ryan Ledson, Josh Harrop and Tom Barkhuizen all recalled by Alex Neil.
With both sides still having plenty to play for, the first half was high on endeavour, but with little end product.
Midfielder Jonathan Hogg, making his 200th league start for Huddersfield and his 300th career league start, typified the application on show and came out on top in most of his challenges.
Town skipper Christopher Schindler’s crucial intervention following Preston midfielder Alan Browne’s first-time cross in the 28th minute was the first real sign of danger at either end.
Visiting defender Bauer headed one corner from Harrop wide and another over the crossbar, while Town’s only effort on target before half-time was Lewis O’Brien’s drive, which was easily gathered by Declan Rudd.
Town forwards Steve Mounie and Colin Quaner replaced Fraizer Campbell and Elias Kachunga at the break, but they had little impact.
Town boss Danny Cowley sent on Arsenal loanee Emile Smith Rowe for Pritchard soon after, but both sides continued to struggle in the final third.
With both defences easily on top, Preston replaced Browne and Harrop with Jayden Stockley and Maguire.
Ledson did well to cut out Town substitute Chris Willock’s left-wing cross before Sinclair snatched at his late chance and Maguire hit the side-netting in the dying moments.
