David Nugent missed two great chances to seal a win as Preston failed to make up ground on the play-off pack in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The England Under-21 international shot over after Pilgrims goalkeeper Romain Larrieu had misread a first-half cross, and then put a free header wide in the second half.

Plymouth midfielder David Norris had the first opportunity on five minutes, but he scuffed his strike from 12 yards and it was comfortably held by Preston keeper Carlo Nash.

Tony Pulis' side continued to impress and veteran striker Micky Evans tested Nash from the edge of the box.

Preston, who suffered their first defeat in 23 league games last time out at Reading, began to impose themselves at the half wore on.

Debutant Jason Jarrett, who had a loan spell at Plymouth earlier this season, played a fine ball to Paul McKenna, but his shot flew wide of Larrieu's right-hand post.

Simon Whaley, making his first start for North End since his £250,000 switch from Bury in January, then came into life down the right flank.

First the livewire winger found Brian O'Neil, who fired over, before sending in a teasing cross seconds later.

Larrieu came and flapped at the cross, presenting Nugent with an open goal.

However the newly crowned Football League Young Player of the Year could only blaze his shot over under pressure.

Plymouth skipper Paul Wotton then stung Nash's palms from fully 25 yards as the game opened up.

Mathias Doumbe was replaced by Akos Buzsaky after injury, before Danny Dichio headed wide when well placed in stoppage time.

In a moment of symmetry, Norris was first to chance his arm in the second half as well, but again the midfielder's aim was errant.

The winger was Plymouth's chief architect and again went close on the hour mark as the Pilgrims applied some pressure.

After Graham Alexander relinquished possession cheaply, Norris executed a fine one-two with Evans to break clear.

However his deftly weighted cutback was intercepted by North End's outstanding Claude Davis.

Billy Davies' side had again started the half slowly but began to pick up the pace in the final quarter.

Chris Sedgwick evaded a challenge from Lee Hodges and floated a fine cross in to pick out Nugent free in the area.

But with the target at his mercy, the former Bury man could only glance his header wide from eight yards.

Teams

Plymouth Larrieu, Connolly, Doumbe (Buzsaky 44), Aljofree,Hodges (Barness 75), Norris, Wotton, Nalis, Capaldi,Evans (Chadwick 82), Pericard.

Subs Not Used: McCormick, Djordjic.

Booked: Pericard.

Preston Nash, Mears, Davis, O'Neil, Alexander, Sedgwick,Jarrett, McKenna, Whaley (Lewis Neal 83), Nugent (Ormerod 77),Dichio (Agyemang 73).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Stock.

Att: 10,874

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).