Leicester City 0 Preston NE 1: Preston hit heights after sturdy show

Preston Northend may have had to settle for this scruffy victory over a poor Leicester City side, but it was one that allowed them to go level on points with Cardiff City at the top of the championship. A goal in the first half from Patrick Agyemang was enough to see off Leicester.

Preston, unbeaten in their last three visits to the Walkers Stadium, had lost just one game in 15 matches. No doubt, the opportunity to go top would have played a major part of manager Paul Simpson's pre-match words.

Preston dominated much of the first half and they took the lead on 16 minutes. David Nugent, the young striker who has courted interest from a series of Premiership clubs, laid the ball off for the defender Sean St Ledger, who drove his shot against the post. Agyemang then scrambled in from close range.

For Leicester, not even the thought of Milan Mandaric's takeover at the Walkers Stadium, which edged a step nearer following a general meeting at the club earlier in the day, could stir them into action.

The margin in class between these two clubs was clearly obvious and as the game wore on Leicester were doing little to end their opponents' dominance. Elvis Hammond, was brought on to replace Matty Fryatt, but Preston stood firm.

On 70 minutes, however, Hammond burst through on goal but Carlo Nash, the Preston goalkeeper came out and cleared. Nash was again quick to respond three minutes from the end saving a Hume shot on his goal-line.