Miller header puts Blackburn ahead just before half-time
Devine swiftly levels for Preston but Gudjohnsen nods Rovers winner
Preston stay fourth in Championship, miss chance to go second
Blackburn up to 16th, nine points above relegation places
Rovers have now won five of past seven on travels
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's not a bad way to get back up and running in the Championship, well, unless you support Preston I guess.
You can read all about tonight's Lancashire derby by clicking on the 'Report' tab at the top of the page.
We've got all the Championship news on our dedicated pages here and we are back tomorrow from midday with 10 more games.
Until then, wrap up warm and thanks for joining us.
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers
Valerien Ismael is happy to have finally scored from a set-piece.
Blackburn's head coach has told Sky Sports how happy he was with Lewis Miller's goal:
"Finally."
"Lewis Miller, really credit to him. He travelled around the world with the national team. He came back on Thursday morning and tried to be ready for the game so I think it’s a big goal for him.
"And finally on the set-pieces we got some reward."
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Preston North End
Preston missed the chance to go second in the Championship with that defeat tonight.
It's also only a second home league defeat of the season.
Boss Paul Heckingbottom has been speaking to Sky Sports:
"We conceded two really poor goals from our point of view - if you're going to concede from two set plays in the Championship it's going to be an uphill battle.
"We didn't score when we were on top early on, put those two things together and it's going to be a tough game.
"We were wasteful before they scored - we got back in the game and got what we deserved from the first half but the second half we huffed and puffed but I felt once we conceded another poor goal we panicked a bit, lost our shape and made it too open.
"That isn't too different from other games this season, we've just scored when we've been on top and it's a different type of game but when you give two set-play goals away you're never going to get that chance."
Championship (15:00 GMT unless stated)
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers
Valerin Ismael is happy with his young players impressing for Rovers.
He's been telling Sky Sports about how he pleased he is with his side:
"From minute one I think that we were in the game. We knew that we had to stand up the first 20 minutes.
"After an international break there’s always a lot of energy when you restart the Championship and we were strong, solid and, after we came into the game.
"The last 20 minutes of the first half is exactly what we wanted 'til the end of the game. We had good moments, created a lot of chances. We stood again well in the middle of the second half. Preston were pushing.
"I think it was a decent win today. A very strong away performance again.
"(George) Pratt with his first league game today, with Kristi Montgomery. I think it’s a great feeling. Moussa Baradji made his debut as well in English football so a great evening for us."
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers
Andri Gudjohnsen got what proved to be the winner for Blackburn.
He's been telling Sky Sports they were annoyed at allowing Preston to equalise 80 seconds after taking the lead just before the break:
"We can't let them get back into the game like that but we sat down at half time, talked about what we needed to do in the second half and we've done that to perfection.
"We stayed in the game, were good on the ball and in the end we get the second goal, they don't score in the second half so it's just a really solid performance.
"We were getting some really good chances, getting into some good positions and it was a good ball from Mori (Ryoya Morishita) to the second post (for my goal) - it was a set-piece from the training ground and we did well to score."
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Paul Gallagher
Former Preston midfielder on BBC Radio Lancashire
At this level you can’t perform for 15 minutes and expect to win. Second half they were nowhere near the level.
They got what they deserved. They got no points.
Blackburn get the bragging rights, that’s the most disappointing thing when you get back to the dressing room. You’ve let yourself down, you’ve let the fans down.
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers
Image source, PA MediaBlackburn goalscorer Lewis Miller has been away on international duty playing for Australia in the USA and only returned yesterday.
He's told Sky Sports:
"It's good coming back from the international break, dusting off the cobwebs after the last loss against Derby and it's great to get the three points in a hostile environment.
"I don't remember the goal, I headed the ball and kind of blacked out for a few seconds and the lads just picked me up and said 'you've scored'. It's a good feeling to get my first.
"My body is kind of in bits at the moment but I'll do anything to get on the pitch and play 90 minutes, I love these boys, we've got such a great group and I'll do everything I can to play and help this club go up."
Use button below, #bbcefl on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Great team performance by Blackburn, seemed to have more of an edge about us. Been unlucky with injuries, some additions in January will help. Hopefully start to pull away from relegation. Credit to the 5,000 travelling fans, made the home fans seem quiet. Bragging rights back where they belong.
Kevin Randle, Leicestershire
Well done Rovers. I was worried that PNE would come out all guns blazing in the second half but strangely it did not happen. Upwards we go. That was a proper derby game.
Mike Graham, Leyland
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Kevin Gallacher
Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio Lancashire
It was a different side in the second half. Passed faster. Pressed faster. Made it harder for Preston. Set-pieces were the nemesis for Preston tonight.
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn have shot up the table and now sit 16th in the Championship after that win. They are now closer to the points tally of teams in the play-off places than those in the relegation zone.
Preston have failed to take their chance to move to second and instead have opened an opportunity for the chasing pack to overtake them - indeed, they could fall out of the play-off places by the end of the weekend.
FT: Preston 1-2 Blackburn
That's a fifth away win in seven games for Blackburn and three in a row.
It's also four victories in their past five home and away.
As for Preston, that feels like a big missed opportunity and now they have to wait for the results elsewhere this weekend.
We'll bring you reaction and you can give us yours on the 'Get Involved' button at the top of the page.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Image source, ShutterstockWhat a good night for injury-ravaged Blackburn as they take the Lancashire-derby honours and Preston miss the chance to move into second place in the Championship.
Lewis Miller headed Rovers into a 45th-minute lead only for Alfie Devine to level 80 seconds later.
Andri Gudjohnsen's fourth goal of the season - another header from a set-piece proved the winner just past the hour.
Aynsley Pears had earlier kept Blackburn level at 0-0 with important saves to deny Lewis Dobbin and Michael Smith but Yuki Ohashi and Makhtar Gueye might have made it more comfortable for the visitors late on.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Paul Gallagher
Former Preston midfielder on BBC Radio Lancashire
Tronstad knows what he’s doing. He’s flaring it up a bit using his experience.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Image source, Getty ImagesPreston's Ben Whiteman throws himself into a rash tackle - it's a yellow card.
It's also a fifth caution and he'll be suspended for the next game at Watford on Tuesday.
The first yellow card of the game.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Blackburn have conceded four goals this season beyond 90 minutes - the most in the Championship.
Mind you, they almost get a third but Yuki Ohashi shoots wide.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire commentator
I’m really surprised that they’re watching a teenage debutant almost on one leg.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Kevin Gallacher
Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio Lancashire
George Pratt can’t jump at all can he? He’s got cramp the kid.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Oh a chance to tie it up for Blackburn.
It's Ryan Alebiosu again with the cross - it's a free header for Makhtar Gueye but it's over the bar.
We will have an extra five minutes tacked onto this one.
Preston 1-2 Blackburn
Down goes Makhtar Gueye in the Preston box.
He gets a hand-off in the face by Andrew Hughes.
Referee Paul Tierney shakes his head.
On we go.
Lewis Miller heads home Blackburn's opener against Preston
Andri Gudjohnsen headed home a second-half winner as Blackburn stunned Preston at Deepdale to dent North End's promotion hopes.
Preston would have climbed to second in the Championship if they had won this Lancashire derby, but away-day specialists Blackburn put paid to those ambitions.
Lewis Miller headed Blackburn in front with his first Rovers goal just before half-time but Preston caught the visitors napping to level through Alfie Devine 80 seconds later.
However, back came Blackburn and Valerien Ismael's side deservedly won when Gudjohnsen headed home his fourth goal in five league games to clinch their fifth Championship away win - a tally only leaders Coventry can match.
Rovers soaked up early Preston pressure and goalkeeper Aynsley Pears denied Lewis Dobbin when he parried the North End midfielder's left-footed effort.
Pears rescued Rovers again when he saved Michael Smith's shot with his left hand at full stretch and debutant George Pratt, recalled on loan from National League North side Chorley on the eve of the game, made a crucial block from the rebound.
From there, Blackburn cranked up the pressure and North End keeper Daniel Iversen saved from both Sean McLoughlin and Ryoya Morishita before the visitors took the lead on 45 minutes.
Ryan Hedges swung over a corner for Australian Miller to head home from inside the six-yard box.
But Blackburn went to sleep after their hard work to allow Preston to equalise almost immediately in first-half stoppage time.
Dobbin touched the ball on for on-loan Tottenham midfielder Devine to squeeze his shot home, despite Rovers' desperate attempts to hack it clear.
After the break, Iversen saved Yuki Ohashi's shot before Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Bolton striker Eidur – restored Rovers' lead on 62 minutes.
Morishita sent over a free-kick to the back post, where Gudjohnsen headed home from close range.
Preston faded badly, failing to summon a real chance of an equaliser, and Iversen made a key save to prevent a Blackburn third, touching away Morishita's angled drive for a corner before the Japan winger flashed another effort across goal and wide.
Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael:
"We showed all the faces you need in the Championship.
"You have to stay strong, you have to suffer, you have to play football and you need set-pieces. The game was the Championship clearly defined.
"We were able in all phases of the game to show the quality and what we've learned from all the games. Now the next step is the home games. We struggle to win at home. The performance is right but we are not winning.
"This is what is missing this season. If we can combine it now this will be good for our confidence and momentum."
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom:
"It's a tough one. Sometimes you come off having given your best and really pleased with how you played and hold your hands up, but I think that one is on us.
"You're on top and you miss your chances then you give two set-play goals away. You're going to have to do something special to win the game so we're disappointed with those two elements.
"We were wasteful in the first 30 minutes when we were on top. They had a good five minutes before they scored but no chances, so for us to concede from a set-play is disappointing.
"We wanted to start the second half the way we started the first, but I didn't really think we did. We made the changes, but then conceded the set-play straight away so it puts you on the back foot. It was a difficult night."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 13 | 27 | 34 |
| |
| 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 29 |
| |
| 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 27 |
| |
| 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 26 |
| |
| 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 25 |
| |
| 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 25 |
| |
| 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 16 | 10 | 23 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 18 | 4 | 23 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 23 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 23 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 21 |
| |
| 15 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 21 |
| |
| 15 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 21 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 21 |
| |
| 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 20 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 19 |
| |
| 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 19 |
| |
| 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 18 |
| |
| 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 17 |
| |
| 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 20 | -8 | 14 |
| |
| 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 22 | -6 | 13 |
| |
| 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 26 | -15 | 10 |
| |
| 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 23 | -9 | 9 |
| |
| 15 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 29 | -17 | -4 |
|
Manager:Paul Heckingbottom
Formation:3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager:Valérien Ismaël
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager:Paul Heckingbottom
Formation:3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager:Valérien Ismaël
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Championship
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
The last three league meetings between Preston and Blackburn at Deepdale have all been drawn with a different scoreline – 1-1 in 2022-23, 2-2 in 2023-24 and 0-0 in 2024-25.
Following a 2-1 win in January, Blackburn Rovers are looking for consecutive league wins over Preston for the first time since doing the double over them in 2021-22.
Preston North End have 26 points after 15 Championship games this season (W7 D5 L3), their most at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20 (28), going on to finish 9th that season.
Blackburn Rovers have won their last two away league matches, their third different run of consecutive away wins under manager Valérien Ismaël. They haven’t won three in a row since a run of four in November/December 2024 under John Eustace.
Each of Blackburn Rovers’ last five Championship goals have been scored by either Andri Gudjohnsen (3) or Yuki Ohashi (2), with Ohashi looking to score in three appearances in a row for the first time.
