Preston getting between the lines.

Darnell Fisher plays Daniel Johnson in down the left channel. He hares after it and holds it up in the box waiting for support.

Bristol City get back to defend but a clever body swerve takes him away from his marker, but Tomas Kalas hacks the low cross away.

More promising signs for the home side.

Josh Earl using his height to advantage from set-pieces. He nods the corner from Bristol City away. Dominant.

Preston pump a long ball forward seeking to release Tom Barkhuizen, but it overruns him.

Good tempo to this game. Just needs to settle a bit, still slightly scrappy.

Image source, Rex Features

Tom Barkhuizen "leaves a bit" on Han-Noah Massengo, and it's a free-kick for Bristol City, left side, outside the box.

Tomas Kalas lurks at the back post, but as he stabs it back into the mix it flicks off a Preston player and out for a corner.

Ben Hesford: Some of the best refereeing you'll see in the Championship. It's a rarity trust me!

It was a stonewall penalty, that's for sure, and ref Geoff Eltringham thought the same which is all that matters.

Preston very sharp on the break, and when Tomas Kalas slips, Sean Maguire is in behind.

He cuts back to Daniel Johnson but it's blocked desperately by the visiting defence.

Corner. Paul Gallagher puts it in near-post, but Johnson uses his hand to control the ball and it's a free-kick.

Jack Hunt swings in a cross from deep, but it's put right on the head of Paul Huntington.

Then the full-back plays a loose pass which is given away to the pouncing Sean Maguire but a very smart tackle-cum-block from Taylor Moore stops him in his tracks in the box.

Had to time that.

Bristol City have not got Chris Martin into the game yet. It's his subtle touches around the box that bring others in and unlock defences.

Preston have the midfield supremacy at the moment.

Adam Nagy's turn to hit the turf, after a 50-50 with Daniel Johnson.

The Jamaica midfielder catches him. Free-kick for Bristol City.

They're in the Preston final third now...

Tackles snapping in around the park.

Josh Earl wrapping his legs into a challenge on Jack Hunt, winning the ball.

Darnell Fisher is hauled down by a covering Adam Nagy, but no decision for the hosts.

Bit of a mix-up in the Preston backline almost causes a few problems with goalkeeper Declan Rudd.

He palms a deep cross into his own player Josh Earl, and the full-back is unsighted.

Thankfully for his teammates, he recovers before Jack Hunt can capitalise. Nervy for the hosts.

Preston get the spot kick!

Scott Sinclair takes a radar-guided pass from Paul Gallagher, slide rule in behind, and is clipped by Taylor Moore.

Penalty!

Scott Sinclair picks the ball up from Sean Maguire's touch off and drives at the Bristol City defence.

He has the visiting defence on the back pedal but his curling shot deflects behind.

Preston scrap around the box from the corner, and after a looper is nodded to the back post, Maguire swivels but it's a tame effort and easy claim for Daniel Bentley.

Preston build patiently down the right, hoping to exploit the cover on the Bristol City left side, but the Robins sit in and the pushed pass goes behind.

Bristol City pump it in at the other end, and Paul Huntington heads away another curling delivery.

Jack Hunt digs out a brilliant cross, arcing across the penalty area into a tempting area, but no-one can attack it.

Darnell Fisher mops up behind to ping it away.

He has to clear another cross, this time from Callum O'Dowda.

Purple patch for Bristol City last few minutes.

Preston throw diagonals at Bristol City, a cross-fielder to Josh Earl on the left and a header into the box almost releases Scott Sinclair.

Bristol City able to smuggle it away.

Daniel Johnson drags down Nahki Wells as Bristol City break on the back of a poor corner.

Was a tad cynical that, thought he might go in the book. Certainly halted the visitors in full flow.

Preston get it back and it's open.

Paul Gallagher puts a ball into the Bristol City box but Tomas Kalas bangs it away for a throw-in.

Preston play triangles on the left side, but Bristol City shutting down the space with vigour.

Scott Sinclair wins a corner, forcing a tackle from Jack Hunt.

Declan Rudd tripped himself, taking a touch from a back-pass, and seems to have jarred his ankle.

It's been strapped up. Will be something Bristol City might target, who wouldn't? Put him under pressure.

Preston's turn to waste a chance from the right. Tom Barkhuizen is usually spot on with his deliveries but like an errant mail order company, that one was off the mark.

Lots of expansive play already.

Injury to Declan Rudd has forced a stoppage. Concern for the Preston goalkeeper.