Preston 1-0 Norwich

Jon Parkin struck as Preston defeated Norwich to climb to fourth in the Championship table.

Norwich dominated before Parkin struck, with Andy Lonergan making outstanding saves to deny long-range efforts from Lee Croft and Mark Fotheringham.

Parkin hit the post but was not to be denied when he controlled Paul McKenna's corner and drilled the ball past keeper David Marshall.

Richard Chaplow almost doubled the lead but Marshall saved his mis-hit strike.

Preston manager Alan Irvine:
"It is a lovely position to be in at the moment. If we could just stop the league right now that would be OK.

"It would be something freakish if [53 points] was not enough to make sure we are in the league next year.

"At the end of this month we will have a really good idea of what chance we have of winning promotion."

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I'm disappointed to get nothing from the game. We were the better team for the first 42 minutes.

"If [the foul on Wes Hoolahan] was outside the box a ref would probably give a foul. If it is in the box it is a penalty.

"When you are in the bottom six those decisions don't go for you. When you are in the top six they do."

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Davies, St. Ledger, Nolan, Nicholson, McKenna, Chaplow (Carter 69), Sedgwick (Whaley 69), Parkin (Mawene 88), Brown. Subs Not Used: Neal, Hawley.

Booked: McKenna.

Goals: Parkin 41.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Grounds, Croft, Fotheringham, Russell, Hoolahan (Carney 78), Gow (Killen 70), Cort (Cureton 79). Subs Not Used: Nelson, Leijer.

Booked: Grounds, Shackell.

Att: 12,033

Ref: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).