A combination of Wayne Henderson, the woodwork and a goal-line clearance saw jittery Preston slip out of the play-off places as relegation-haunted Brighton held out for a first point in seven games.

Young goalkeeper Henderson pulled off superb stops to deny Dave Nugent and Danny Dichio, while the latter was also foiled by Gary Hart's last-ditch intervention and Claude Davis rattled the post.

Preston themselves were fortunate not to fall behind, however, after Alex Frutos scuffed a fine chance wide in an entertaining clash on the south coast.

Brighton's stay in the Coca-Cola Championship could be about to come to an end after two seasons - they remain five points from safety - and they were dealt a further blow this week when it was confirmed that work on their new stadium at Falmer has been delayed for a year.

That they have managed to punch above their weight for that long while surviving on gates of around 6,000 at the Withdean is due in no small part to the never-say-die attitude of Mark McGhee and his enthusiastic young side, and this was apparent once more against Preston.

Brighton's chief problem has been their inability to attract a striker to their ill-suited athletics stadium, and Colin Kazim-Richards was again charged with the sole attacking responsibilities.

By the time he had fired in an early loosener straight at Carlo Nash, Nugent, the newly-crowned Football League Young Player of the Year, had whistled a shot past Henderson's right-hand post.

Brighton continued to attack, though, and centre-half Paul McShane planted a header into the arms of Nash before Seb Carole shot wide.

But Preston should have gone ahead after 15 minutes when Nugent pulled the ball back for Dichio, who was only denied by a stunning save from Henderson low to his left.

Nugent then forced another fine stop from Albion's Republic of Ireland international after cleverly firing through the legs of McShane.

Dichio and Tyrone Mears both put good chances wide before McGhee switched to 4-4-2 and pushed Adam Hinshelwood - a centre-half by trade - to the right wing.

And the move almost paid immediate dividends when Hinshelwood raced down the right and crossed for Frutos, who nudged the ball inches wide at full stretch.

The lively Carole, Brighton's chief attacking threat, then sent an angled drive flashing past the post and McShane headed wide from Frutos' corner while at the other end Paul McKenna put a free-kick over the top.

The home goal continued to lead a charmed life after the break when Dichio saw a shot cleared off the line by substitute Hart and in the ensuing scramble Davis thumped the ball against the post.

Dichio, still looking for his first league goal for Preston, headed a Chris Sedgwick cross wide and both Nugent and Simon Whaley shot wastefully past the post as Preston's frustration grew.

Billy Davies replaced Nugent with Brett Ormerod but it was Brighton who almost stole the victory when first Frutos fizzed a shot narrowly over the top and then Hart fired wide.

Teams

Brighton Henderson, Hinshelwood, Butters, El-Abd, McShane,Lynch (Hart 45), Hammond, Carpenter, Frutos (Loft 90),Kazim-Richards, Carole.

Subs Not Used: Mayo, Martin, Gatting.

Booked: Carpenter.

Preston Nash, Alexander, Davidson, Davis, Mawene, Jarrett,Sedgwick (Whaley 72), Mears, McKenna, Nugent (Ormerod 82),Dichio (Agyemang 72).

Subs Not Used: Hill, Lewis Neal.

Booked: McKenna, Sedgwick, Jarrett.

Att: 6,361

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).