Simon Grayson: Preston not giving up on automatic promotion

Manager Simon Grayson still believes Preston can win automatic promotion from League One, despite lying seven points adrift of a top-two spot.

North End are fourth with 15 games to play and missed the chance to close the gap on Tuesday, drawing 0-0 at MK Dons.

"We'll try to win the next 15 games and try to get automatic promotion," Grayson told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"If it's not that, we have to secure a place in the play-offs, but we're not giving up on catching those top two."

The 44-year-old, who has previously won promotion from the third tier with Blackpool, Leeds and Huddersfield, continued: "We've just got to try and win as many games as possible and keep hanging in there.

"If teams slip up, we've got to be on their coat tails. We'd love to be a little bit closer."

Preston travel to Colchester on Saturday, while leaders Brentford and third-placed Wolves - who are level on points with Leyton Orient in second - meet at Griffin Park.