Struggling Southampton's miserable run in front of goal continued as they shared a goalless draw with play-off chasing Preston at St Mary's.

Poland striker Grzegorz Rasiak did his best to fire Southampton - who have scored just once in six Coca-Cola Championship games - to a first win in seven only to be denied on several occasions by goalkeeper Carlo Nash before hitting a post in the 75th minute.

Preston remain in sixth place as they stretched their unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions, with Billy Davies' side nearly snatching all three points at the death only for Tyrone Mears and Claude Davis to head wide and for Danny Dichio to see his injury-time effort saved by Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Southampton, who began the game seven points above the drop zone, had the first opportunity in the 13th minute but Darren Potter, on loan from Liverpool, fired wide from the edge of the penalty box.

Preston responded well and came close to taking the lead themselves two minutes later only for eight-goal striker David Nugent to put his left-footed effort past the post.

Rasiak, making his home debut after signing on loan from Tottenham, forced Nash into the first save of the game in the 21st minute after letting fly from 25 yards.

Nash denied Rasiak again shortly afterwards before the experienced stopper made a stunning fingertip save to turn the striker's header from six yards around the post.

Preston striker Brett Ormerod, making a swift return to St Mary's having left on a free transfer a fortnight ago, nearly got himself on the scoresheet but directed his header from Matthew Hill's cross just off-target.

The visitors forced Bialkowski into his first serious action just before the half-hour, the Pole comfortably saving Paul McKenna's shot.

Nash came to his side's rescue again in the 33rd minute to push Andrew Surman's effort away for a corner.

The start of the second half continued in the same fashion as Nash yet again saved well to prevent Rasiak from breaking the deadlock, although Bialkowski had to be alert to keep out Nugent's snap-shot at the other end.

The Rasiak and Nash show resumed on the hour with the Saint foiled once more but Bialkowski then got in on the act as he superbly turned Youl Mawene's close-range header round the post.

Rasiak's night of frustration was summed up with 15 minutes left when he finally beat Nash, only to see his 20-yard drive hit a post before Preston wasted late chances to claim the points.

Teams

Southampton Bialkowski, Ostlund, Lundekvam (Powell 90),Higginbotham, Brennan, Potter (Dyer 73), Chaplow, Wright,Surman, Rasiak, Madsen (Blackstock 74).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Jones.

Booked: Surman, Ostlund.

Preston Nash, Mears, Mawene, Lucketti, Hill,Sedgwick (Davis 80), O'Neil, McKenna, Davidson,Nugent (Agyemang 73), Ormerod (Dichio 73).

Subs Not Used: Whaley, Lewis Neal.

Att: 19,534

Ref: C Penton (Sussex).