Preston are winless in their past seven Championship games and now need a spirited fightback to stop that run extending to eight matches.

If they can't conjure one up, you sense their play-off dreams would be realistically over.

Image source, Rex Features

West Bromwich Albion went back to the Championship summit tonight with an impressive 2-0 win over promotion hopefuls Derby County at the Hawthorns.

For boss Slaven Bilic it was a superb performance, one that had the Croat purring with pride.

"That was - considering the stage of the season, the pressure and the strength of opponent and form they were in - the best performance of the season so far," Bilic told BBC Radio WM.

"We made a plan but the players' execution of that plan was magnificent.

"We picked a very offensive team, but very solid. We took a lot of ball from their defence, then we didn't let them have a sniff and at the same time created numerous chances.

"We were getting into the box, great on the flanks, passing the ball and were keeping the ball when needed and always looking to penetrate. To respond under pressure makes you proud."

The Owls' Kadeem Harris cuts in from the left, on his right foot around 25 yards out, but his low shot is comfortably held by Preston keeper Declan Rudd.

Image source, Rex Features

The Lancashire club have started the second half looking the brighter.

To remind you, a win for Alex Neil's side tonight would move them to within three points of sixth-placed Cardiff.

And the visitors Preston get the game going again.

The players are coming back out for the second half at Hillsborough. The Owls are in their traditional blue and white shirts, with black shorts, while Preston are in their away kit, with green shirts and yellow shorts.

Don't forget, you can react to tonight's earlier results via #bbcefl on social media.

Image source, PA Media

Way back in today's 15:00 BST kick-off, Middlesbrough did their survival hopes no harm with a 2-0 win at Millwall that lifted them out of the bottom three.

"I said to the players on the pitch that when you're struggling, it's not just about managers, you've got to look at yourselves," Boro boss Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Tees.

"You have to put performances in like that week in, week out. I've never seen the two strikers run as hard in their lives.

"That's what you've got to do, you've got to die for the cause."

There's the half-time whistle. Play-off hopefuls Preston will be disappointed not to have taken advantage of their good first-half chances.

They're set for two minutes of first-half stoppage time at Hillsborough, where it's not been a classic encounter, but both sides have had chances to score - Preston with several.

The Owls' Kadeem Harris shows good feet to force a corner, down the hosts' left.

The initial corner is then hooked clear. Barry Bannan plays it straight back in to the area, over the top, but Dominic Iorfa is offside.

The echoes of the players' shouts are so loud at Hillsborough. We may be a few weeks in to football's resumption but it still feels very, very weird.

The hosts are starting to control a fair bit of the possession now, even if it hasn't been the prettiest of football at times tonight.

Ever-busy midfielder Barry Bannan's started to pick out a few good passes for the hosts. He plays a clever high one over the top to Alessio Da Cruz, but he's thwarted by a last-ditch block.

Up the other end, after a swift counter and a terrific, lung-busting run, Tom Barkhuizen has a really good chance but places a low shot just wide.

Preston could have had two or three goals already, easily.

Image source, Rex Features

Perhaps after a strong word from Garry Monk, the Owls look much sharper since the drinks break.

Atdhe Nuhiu goes down in the box at a corner, claiming a shirt pull and a penalty, but it would have been soft.

It's time for the first drinks break of the game at Hillsborough and - since hitting the woodwork very early on - the hosts haven't really got going.