Cardiff City 0-0 Preston North End: Bluebirds held after drawing blank in frustrating Championship affair

Cardiff City missed the opportunity to record a third win on the bounce after being held to a drab 0-0 stalemate at the hands of Preston North End.

Having recorded impressive victories over Derby County and QPR, Cardiff laboured to muster any real opportunities in the final third until the final 10 minutes in what was a largely uneventful affair, with Uche Ikpeazu twice denied by Daniel Iversen in the Preston goal.

Jordan Hugill did volley home in the final minute of added time, only for it to be chalked off for a foul in the build-up.

Preston had their chances too, with Cameron Archer and Daniel Johnson forcing good saves from Alex Smithies, while Alan Browne somehow skewed a rebound wide from close range, on a day of precious little quality in front of either goal.

Steve Morison stressed the importance of his side maintaining their levels of intensity between now and the end of the season this week, and opted for just two changes from the win at Loftus Road.

Rubin Colwill's reward for his stunning freekick was a place on the bench, with fellow starlet Isaak Davies drafted in, while Will Vaulks made way for the returning Tommy Doyle.

Cardiff needed extra time to see off the Lilywhites last time around in what was a drab FA Cup affair behind closed doors in January, and this this contest did little to really prove itself worthy of an audience this time around, with both chances and entertainment sorely lacking during a tepid opening 45 minutes.

But while perhaps he may have wished for slightly more in the final third, Morison will nonetheless have been pleased with the way his side dominated possession in the early exchanges.

Cody Drameh nearly pounced on a wayward pass from Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, but was