There is a scramble in the Cardiff box after Paul Gallagher's corner is not cleared, but Alan Browne's drive is well blocked by Lee Peltier.

There is a break in play now as Sean Maguire receives treatment on a cut in his mouth.

Paul Gallagher holds head in hands as his 20-yard effort flashes narrowly wide of the post.

Cardiff are stretched after Tom Barkhuizen makes ground down the left but Gallagher does not get enough bend on his shot.

Jason Perry
Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

Curtis Nelson comes out to try and play the offside, behind him Aden Flint is a yard deeper. Cardiff could have been punished by Gallagher there. It's curling but not enough to sneak into the net.

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

That is twice in a couple of minutes Curtis Nelson has effectively chucked Tom Barkhuizen out of the pub and over the advertising hoardings.

Perhaps he should be working on the door somewhere in Cardiff?

Tom Barkhuizen is on the end of a heavy challenge from Curtis Nelson - but the contact is off the pitch so no foul is given.

The Preston forward is okay, but that looks a little painful.

The game in South Wales isn't the only early kick-off in the EFL today.

Down in League One Gillingham have scored two goals in three minutes, through Mikael Mandron and Brandan Hanlan, to take charge against struggling MK Dons.

That was a 13:00 GMT kick-off.

Preston are bossing the ball in the early stages of the second period.

It is still early, of course, but the pattern of the game has not changed much as yet.

We are back underway here in Cardiff.

Can Neil Harris' team step up a gear in this second half, or will Preston continue to be the more progressive side?

You never know in the Championship.

It's been competitive in the first half at Cardiff City Stadium, but the game has yet to catch light. Here's hoping for better things after the players have had their half-time cuppas.

Image source, Getty Images

It is goalless at the break.

Preston have been the better side for the most part but it is all to play for in the second half.

Jason Perry
Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

Tomlin's got a short fuse, he's got to concentrate and keep control of his emotions there. He needs to be careful now, you worry about him when he's on a yellow.

Did the touch from him warrant that reaction from the Preston player? Probably not. But this is the modern era, players don't mind falling over in front of thousands of people now.

Cardiff's first booking arrives in stoppage time at the end of the first half as Lee Tomlin is carded for raising a boot in the direction of Paul Gallagher.

Jason Perry
Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

What a ball from Pearson there. He's hit that left to right inches over Jazz Richards' head. Maguire goes across the keeper as you'd expect and it's just gone wide.

Preston burst forward as we head into two minutes of stoppage time but Sean Maguire's shot rolls just wide.

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

This is not a good game of football.

It is so bad it is making Christmas shopping seem, if not appealing, then at least an option.

A very 0-0 half.

Neil Harris shakes his head on the touchline as nobody challenges for Neil Etheridge's punt up field and the ball rolls through to Preston keeper Declan Rudd.

Strange passage of play.

Jason Perry
Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

The balls have been slow to Josh Murphy so when it's got to him Preston have been able to change their shape. Cardiff need to get the ball quicker to him on the wing.

Leandro Bacuna blasts his shot over from long range after good work in the build-up from Jazz Richards and Lee Tomlin.

It is a poor strike from Bacuna, but Cardiff are coming into the contest a little as half-time approaches.

Lee Tomlin lifts a free-kick invitingly into the Preston box but it is too high for Aden Flint, and Sean Maguire is able to clear.

Another booking for Preston, and this time it is skipper Tom Clarke.

Referee Jeremy Simpson says he dived as he tumbles under Jazz Richards' challenge.