Preston North End 0-0 Sunderland: Second goalless draw in four days for Black Cats

Frokjaer shot over from another promising position early in the second half as Preston continued to press.

Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris was forced to turn to his bench just past the hour as he brought on regular wide men Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts, but the attacking threat did not really materialise as their play in the final third lacked quality despite being urged on by more than 5,000 fans from Wearside.

It was only in injury time that Woodman was tested as he pushed behind a shot from substitute Roberts.

However, the leaders’ defensive resolve was again on display as they kept a ninth clean sheet in 14 Championship games.

Their recent run of games has involved four away games out of five and they have collected eight points from those travels with two wins and two draws.

It is now only one defeat in seven for Preston as they continue to improve under Paul Heckingbottom but they are still looking over their shoulders towards the bottom three.