Preston North End 2-0 Birmingham: Blues two points above relegation zone
- Published
Patrick Bauer put Preston in front just before half-time
Birmingham City are still not safe from the threat of relegation from the Championship after losing to Preston North End at Deepdale.
On an afternoon when North End had to win to try to keep their slim play-off hopes alive, a goal in each half from Patrick Bauer and Brad Potts at least won the hosts the three points.
But Cardiff City's win at Middlesbrough ensured that Alex Neil's side fell short of a top-six place. And managerless Blues were also hit by a result elsewhere as Luton Town's late winner at Hull kept them in the relegation shake-up.
For Blues, who have not won now won in 13 league games, to stand any chance of finishing in the bottom three, it would need Luton - at home to Blackburn - and Charlton Athletic - away to champions Leeds - both to win in Wednesday's final round of fixtures.
Wigan would also need to successfully appeal against a potential 12-point deduction handed to them for going into administration.
But Blues would end any doubts if they beat Derby County at St Andrew's.
Finally a win at Deepdale
Since their last home win on 22 February, Preston had picked up just one point out of a possible 12 at Deepdale.
But that first home triumph in a five league matches - and 12th of the season - was on the cards from the moment that German defender Bauer put Neil's men ahead two minutes before the break with his third goal of the campaign.
Paul Gallagher's cunningly floated out-swinging corner somehow evaded all the jumpers at the near post and Bauer was left unmarked eight yards out to slide a low right-foot finish on the half volley, to Blues keeper Lee Camp's left.
Birmingham came closest to levelling just after the break when, after a half-cleared corner dropped to Gary Gardner five yards outside the box, the City midfielder's stunning right-foot volley was brilliantly saved by home keeper Declan Rudd, who somehow tipped it over.
But Preston settled it three minutes from time when a poor clearing header fell square to Potts, who raced on into the box before drilling a low left-foot shot across Camp into the far corner.
Who's next?
Blues still have their fate in their own hands when they host a Derby side captained by Wayne Rooney in midweek.
A win would do the job without worrying about anyone else's results but, no matter what Charlton do, barring a new Championship goal-scoring record at Kenilworth Road, their superior goal difference to Luton (they are 10 better off) means that a draw would almost certainly be enough to keep them up.
If they were to lose, on the back of a dismal run of just seven points picked up out of a possible 39, both Charlton and Luton could still overtake them and Blues would drop into the relegation zone. But, if Wigan's possible 12-point deduction stands, then Birmingham stay up regardless of their own result or results elsewhere on Wednesday.
Preston finish their season at Ashton Gate against Bristol City, whose play-off hopes were also ended by Cardiff's win on Teesside.
Manager reaction
Preston manager Alex Neil:
"It's disappointing we've not made the top six. It's painful. We could have got to the play-offs or got promotion.
"But maybe we've sold too many important players over the course of the past couple of seasons, players who could maybe have got us the goals we needed.
"But this group of players have given me everything this season. We've come up short in the end, but don't forget we've got one of the smallest playing budgets in the division.
"Just take a look at some of the teams we're above in the table. We are where we are, but I do think expectation has shifted massively since I've been here."
Birmingham City caretaker boss Steve Spooner:
"It's not even entered my mind about EFL points deductions. We can't be thinking about that.
"Who wants to be involved with a team that might finish in the bottom three and then stays up?
"All we've got to be thinking about is beating Derby on Wednesday night. We have to sort it ourselves.
"I'm just bitterly disappointed to concede two goals like that, especially the first one so close to half time. I'm fed up keeping on going over the same old things."