Nicholls hit the post with a 25-yard strike 10 minutes before the end.

PNE started well and had a penalty appeal rejected when Neil Mellor went down but Norwich's Simon Lappin then went close with a curling shot.

David Marshall saved a 20-yard Mellor strike before Nicholls hit the post, while Dion Dublin headed a Jon Otsemobor cross wide for Norwich.

Preston manager Paul Simpson:
"We went out to get three points but I can't say I'm disappointed with the performance.

"There was only a goal missing from it, but I thought it was an excellent game of football.

"We started well, were very positive, and we kept Norwich defending for long periods of the game."

Norwich manager Peter Grant on the effect of the illness that hit his squad during the week:
"Preston dominated from start to finish, but I knew it was going to be tough.

"We wanted to be able to prepare for a full week with no injuries but then we get the bombshell.

"It's been very difficult. I think on the day they have battled hard and they have dug in. They have had to do that."

Preston: Henderson, Alexander, Mawene, St. Ledger, Davidson, Whaley, Nicholls, Carter, Pugh, Ormerod (Hawley 80), Mellor (Sedgwick 86).
Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Jones, Lewis Neal.

Booked: Pugh, Carter.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Doherty, Drury, Chadwick (Croft 66), Brellier (Fotheringham 75), Russell, Lappin, Dublin (Strihavka 71), Brown.
Subs Not Used: Gilks, Cureton.

Booked: Dublin, Russell.

Att: 13,408.