Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Preston North End

Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Preston North End.

Despite failing to score for only the second time this season, the Seagulls remain unbeaten in the league.

Clear chances were at a premium throughout, with Sam Baldock and Tomer Hemed failing to convert for the home side, who had just one shot on target.

Preston striker Joe Garner had a header cleared off the line in a dogged and uninspiring second period.

Gaetan Bong limped off late on for Albion, leaving them down to 10 men for the eight minutes of stoppage time.

North End deserve credit for shutting out Brighton on home turf, stifling their attacking threats and troubling them on occasions through the creativity of Paul Gallagher.

Few efforts were worthy of the phrase 'shot on goal' even in the brighter first half, as Baldock had an effort blocked and Jamie Murphy's free-kick was dealt with by Jordan Pickford.

At the other end Eoin Doyle's header from a Gallagher cross was stopped by David Stockdale.

There was even less to shout about in the second period and not even the introduction of Brighton striker Bobby Zamora, with two late winners in the last two games, could liven the encounter.

Garner's header was the best effort, nodded away from danger in a stalemate.

The Seagulls remain four points clear at the top of the table and are the only undefeated side in the top four tiers.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton:

"We have characters in the side.

"We weren't at our best today and last season this was a game we would lose. We'd rather have the challenge of teams wanting to beat us and the longer it goes on, the tougher it will be."

Preston manager Simon Grayson:

"We have said all season that we've played very well. We have been involved in every game but not had the results.

"But now we are gaining in confidence. Our 3-0 away win at Charlton in midweek was a really good performance and we tried to get three points at Brighton."