Preston North End 1-1 Birmingham City

Birmingham moved up to eighth despite a fifth successive Championship game without a win in a draw at Preston.

Adam Reach gave the hosts a fortunate lead when his cross from the right went past everyone and bounced into Tomasz Kuszczak's net.

Blues levelled with Michael Morrison's header from Stephen Gleeson's corner, with Marnick Vermijl clearing from just behind the line.

Demarai Gray should have won it for City but dragged his shot wide.

Preston, who remain 16th, had kept eight clean sheets in their previous 10 games and were hopeful of extending that run until midway through the second half.

Keeper Jordan Pickford had been the hero for Preston, with several good saves from Gray, Jon Toral, James Vaughan and Morrison.

But he was unable to stop Morrison's goal after misjudging the corner, or Jacques Maghoma's close-range header which hit the crossbar.

And Blues were again frustrated in injury-time when teenager Gray raced away from the Preston defence but put his effort wide.

Preston boss Simon Grayson: "Jordan was the first to apologise for the goal because he's come for it and missed it completely.

"We forgive him for that because he kept us in the game anyway. It shows he's got high standards for himself.

"The lad's got a bright future wherever he's going to be. We're just happy to have him and help with his development."

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett:

"We conceded a very poor goal which we should have dealt with much better, but our goalkeeper has maybe made one save.

"We have had five one-on-ones, hit the bar, hit the post and their keeper has made three or four unbelievable saves.

"For the home keeper to get the man-of-the-match award tells you we should have won comfortably. We should have won tonight and a couple more games with those chances."