[h=3]By PA Sport[/h]Last Updated: 05/03/16 8:30pm
Chris Kirkland kept a clean sheet at short notice
Preston boss Simon Grayson hailed veteran keeper Chris Kirkland after the last-minute replacement showed his experience to keep Brighton at bay in a 0-0 draw.
The 34-year-old was solid throughout his league debut for the Lilywhites - barring a blunder with three minutes remaining which would have gifted Tomer Hemed his sixth goal in seven matches were the striker not offside.
The result kept Preston 10th in the Championship table and Grayson insisted he was not worried when Anders Lindegaard was ruled out through illness in the hours before kick-off.
Highlights from Preston's Championship clash with Brighton
"I knew Anders was out at about 1.30pm," he said. "Getting here he felt really rough and the doctor sent him straight home.
"We've got the experience of Chris Kirkland to come in and he showed his calmness. The defenders in front of him played really well today.
"They are a very strong team but off the ball we did very well. The shape was very good and defensively we limited them to few opportunities.
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson praised Grayson's performance
"Second half I thought we were the better team, so I'm disappointed we haven't won it, but two clean sheets against Brighton is a big ask from the players.
"We've got a number of games left now and we'll just keep approaching it as we have over the last few weeks. We want the players to go out and express themselves."
Jamie Murphy thought he had grabbed a first-half opener when he latched on to Anthony Knockaert's chip through - but the flag was up for offside.
Preston's Calum Woods then came closest to scoring just before the hour mark, but his left-footed strike cannoned back off the underside of the bar.
Brighton's top scorer Hemed whistled an effort wide late on, before also having a goal ruled out by the linesman after Kirkland's late fumble.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton was satisfied with a point
And while Brighton lost ground in the hunt for automatic promotion, manager Chris Hughton was satisfied with a point.
He said: "We had a couple of good chances and so did they. On the balance of play I thought we threatened but we didn't retain possession well enough in the areas we needed to.
"They worked very hard and restricted the quality balls we were able to put in. Away from home if you can't play as well as you'd like you've got to make sure not to lose the game.
"Defensively, we were solid again. As a back four we had a fair bit to deal with. The only disappointment is that we didn't keep possession well enough and if you don't do that then you make life harder for yourself.
"It was a tough game but you expect that. Preston are in good form and have their own ambitions. Nobody will come here and get an easy game."
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Chris Kirkland kept a clean sheet at short notice
Preston boss Simon Grayson hailed veteran keeper Chris Kirkland after the last-minute replacement showed his experience to keep Brighton at bay in a 0-0 draw.
The 34-year-old was solid throughout his league debut for the Lilywhites - barring a blunder with three minutes remaining which would have gifted Tomer Hemed his sixth goal in seven matches were the striker not offside.
The result kept Preston 10th in the Championship table and Grayson insisted he was not worried when Anders Lindegaard was ruled out through illness in the hours before kick-off.
Highlights from Preston's Championship clash with Brighton
"I knew Anders was out at about 1.30pm," he said. "Getting here he felt really rough and the doctor sent him straight home.
"We've got the experience of Chris Kirkland to come in and he showed his calmness. The defenders in front of him played really well today.
"They are a very strong team but off the ball we did very well. The shape was very good and defensively we limited them to few opportunities.
Preston North End manager Simon Grayson praised Grayson's performance
"Second half I thought we were the better team, so I'm disappointed we haven't won it, but two clean sheets against Brighton is a big ask from the players.
"We've got a number of games left now and we'll just keep approaching it as we have over the last few weeks. We want the players to go out and express themselves."
Jamie Murphy thought he had grabbed a first-half opener when he latched on to Anthony Knockaert's chip through - but the flag was up for offside.
Preston's Calum Woods then came closest to scoring just before the hour mark, but his left-footed strike cannoned back off the underside of the bar.
Brighton's top scorer Hemed whistled an effort wide late on, before also having a goal ruled out by the linesman after Kirkland's late fumble.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton was satisfied with a point
And while Brighton lost ground in the hunt for automatic promotion, manager Chris Hughton was satisfied with a point.
He said: "We had a couple of good chances and so did they. On the balance of play I thought we threatened but we didn't retain possession well enough in the areas we needed to.
"They worked very hard and restricted the quality balls we were able to put in. Away from home if you can't play as well as you'd like you've got to make sure not to lose the game.
"Defensively, we were solid again. As a back four we had a fair bit to deal with. The only disappointment is that we didn't keep possession well enough and if you don't do that then you make life harder for yourself.
"It was a tough game but you expect that. Preston are in good form and have their own ambitions. Nobody will come here and get an easy game."
More...