Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City: Phil Neumann marks return with winner at Deepdale

Phil Neumann marked his return to Birmingham City’s starting line-up with the winning goal in a dogged victory over Preston.

The German defender, who lost his place to the suspended Jack Robinson, nodded home Alex Cochrane’s 33rd-minute free-kick to bring the visitors their first victory in five attempts.

But Chris Davies’s side needed to withstand a fierce second-half bombardment after home boss Paul Heckingbottom made good use of his substitutes to freshen up the hosts’ shot-shy attack.

Daniel Jebbison went closest for North End as he capitalised on a rush of blood from Birmingham keeper James Beadle midway through the second half, only for Neumann to cover and clear off the line.

More to follow.