Championship round-up: Greg Cunningham on target for Preston, Blackburn win to move top of the table

Preston moved to within two points of the Sky Bet Championship play-off places courtesy of Republic of Ireland international Greg Cunningham's second-half header as they defeated Huddersfield 1-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Both sides had come into the game in stuttering form and it showed in the first half as they failed to impose themselves on each other, with Preston’s Alvaro Fernandez having the best chances towards the end of the half.

Cunningham headed North End in front five minutes into the second period and the hosts failed to register a shot on target as they slipped to their ninth league defeat of the season.

Blackburn moved to the top of the table at the expense of rivals Burnley with a 2-0 win over Sunderland and former boss Tony Mowbray.

Ben Brereton Diaz's left-footed curler put Rovers in front with 32 minutes gone, moments after Jack Clarke had wanted a penalty at the other end for a challenge from Ryan Hedges as he prepared to shoot, with referee Craig Pawson unmoved.

Scott Wharton then headed in a second from a Hedges free-kick four minutes into the second half.

The win lifts Blackburn on to 27 points, two clear of Burnley and Sheffield United, although Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have played two games more.

Norwich were the other side who had begun the night with a chance to move top of the table but their recent frustrations continued as their winless run reached four games – with Carlton Morris haunting his old side with the only goal in a 1-0 Luton win at Carrow Road.

It got worse for Norwich, who had Kenny McLean sent off shortly after Morris struck in the 62nd minute for appearing to hit out at Tom Lockyer.

The result sees Luton go up to third, one place above Norwich, who were booed off after a third