Preston and Bristol City play out goalless draw

Anis Mehmeti (right) has scored four goals in eight games this season, including three in three before Bristol City's trip to Preston North End

Preston North End and Bristol City played out a goalless Championship draw despite both sides having decent chances to steal three points.

Anis Mehmeti, who had scored in three successive games, twice went close for the visitors as they had the better of the chances in the first half.

North End almost led themselves through efforts from Lewis Gibson and Milutin Osmajic, but they could not hit the target, though keeper Daniel Iversen ensured the hosts earned a point with a stunning save to deny Mehmeti in the 88th minute.

Despite the stalemate, both sides remain in the Championship top six, with Bristol City bouncing back from their defeat by Oxford United, while Preston are now three matches unbeaten in the league.

Mehmeti could have given the visitors the lead in fine fashion early on when he latched on to Zak Vyner's delivery, but his low drive towards goal was well tipped away by Preston keeper Daniel Iversen.

Bristol City kept pushing and Iversen was forced into action again soon afterwards when Mark Sykes sent in a deflected effort which was pushed over the bar.

North End hit back before the break when Andrew Hughes set up Gibson, who was denied twice by quick-thinking goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

In the second half, Mehmeti looked dangerous once more, this time as he worked onto Ross McCrorie's pass before diverting his shot wide of the mark.

Preston striker Osmajic started despite spending two days this week in London for a Football Association hearing, having previously been accused of racially abusing Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri.

Osmajic almost put his side in front when he worked onto an Alfie Devine delivery, but he dragged his effort just wide of the post.

Scott Twine could have won it for Bristol City late on when he sent a free-kick into the box but Preston did well to clear, shortly before Robins midfielder Adam Randall struck over the bar.

'We deserved much more than one point' - reaction

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It was a good point in the end. Too many times last year I was coming in frustrated when we only got a point, but today we might have had more of the ball but they had more of the chances.

"I'd be disappointed if our games aren't tightly contested. They were really good without the ball and there were a lot of dead-ball restarts, throw-ins, and their threat is on the counter.

"The game was exactly as we thought and that's where the best moments came from."

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I think performance-wise it was really good. The boys realised in the end we had really good chances to win the game. I thought we had many battles on the field, which is what we would expect.

"In the end we were not so lucky today. I think we invested a lot in both directions. We invested so much in the opponents' half.

"In the end we deserved much more than one point but that's sometimes football and we have to accept that."