Derby County 0-0 Preston North End

Preston keeper Anders Lindegaard punches clear to thwart a Derby attack

Derby County's winless Championship run was stretched to six matches as they were held at home by Preston North End.

The hosts went close inside the opening 40 seconds as Chris Martin set up Jeff Hendrick who fired wide of the target.

At the other end, goalkeeper Scott Carson had to be at his best to keep out Paul Gallagher's long-range shot.

The point for the Rams moves them up to fourth, six points behind leaders Hull who have a game in hand, while Preston climb two places to 14th.

There was no starting place for Derby's recent signing Marcus Olsson, as the Sweden international left-back was named as a substitute by head coach Paul Clement.

Despite a fast-paced start from promotion-chasing Derby, the visitors grew into the game and Ben Pearson shot straight at Carson.

Preston had scored in six of their last seven trips to Derby and came close after the break when Daniel Johnson put a 20-yard curling effort wide.

The hosts had chances to win late on as Jacob Butterfield dragged his shot wide of the far post, while substitute Craig Bryson missed the target from 20 yards.

Derby head coach Paul Clement:

"Of course I am concerned about the run. I would be silly to say I wasn't, but I still have the belief that a victory is not far away.

"The message I gave to the players is that we've got to keep going.

"They gave all their effort and we've got to keep working hard on the training field, keep positive and keep the belief within us.

"There's a long way to go and we've actually gone up a place."

Preston manager Simon Grayson:

"This is a difficult place to come because they have some good players.

"Our players stuck to the game plan we spent four or five days working on and the effort the lads put in was unbelievable.

"Our keeper has not had a shot to save, whereas theirs has had a few and we created a couple of good chances."