Bristol City made the ideal preparation for their Coca Cola Championship play-off semi-final with Crystal Palace by beating Preston 3-0.

Michael McIndoe supplied Lee Trundle to break the deadlock early on and the former Swansea player returned the favour eight minutes later, setting up the McIndoe to earn the Robins a two-goal advantage at half-time.

David Noble made it comfortable for the Robins shortly after the break and Trundle came close to bagging his second when he fired an effort against the woodwork.

With a place in the play-offs already assured City were unchanged as they remained without striker Steve Brooker, who failed to overcome a hamstring strain in time.

Having secured their survival, Preston were able to recall influential defender Sean St Ledger while Matthew Hill started against his former club.

Following a stop-start opening to the game the McIndoe produced an accurate cross for Trundle to slot home from close range in the eighth minute.

The visitors looked to hit back instantly with Paul McKenna supplying the ball in for Neal Trotman to head the ball on, but Adriano Basso managed to neutralise the danger. Richard Chaplow then also had an effort saved by the Brazilian stopper.

But the Robins doubled their lead in the 16th minute when roles were reversed as Trundle's cross enabled McIndoe to slot home from 12 yards.

City had another couple of chances shortly after with Dele Adebola and Trundle firing wide from inside the area.

Lewis Neal had the opportunity to reduce the deficit for the visitors but he slotted wide from 12 yards before Neil Mellor struck an effort from outside of the area wide.

Mellor then failed to hit the target from inside the area, Chris Brown volleyed over and Neal Trotman put a header wide.

Nick Carle attempted to add to City's lead shortly after the break but he fired wide before Paul McKenna failed to trouble Basso at the other end with a speculative effort.

Noble extended the Robins' lead in the 51st minute when he found the top right-hand corner from the edge of the area.

The hosts then continued to drive on with Trotman having to block an Adebola header before Marvin Elliott struck wide from the edge of the area.

Preston boss Alan Irvine reacted by making a triple substitution shortly before the hour mark bringing Craig Beattie, Darren Carter and Simon Whaley into the action.

But the hosts continued to dominate with Trundle despatching an effort from outside the area which smashed the visitor's crossbar.

Louis Carey then latched onto a McIndoe cross but Carter managed to make the block before substitute Lee Johnson forced Preston stopper Andy Lonergan into making a save late on.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, McAllister, Noble,Elliott, Carle (Johnson 66), McIndoe, Trundle (Sproule 74),Adebola (Showunmi 61).

Subs Not Used: Fontaine, Weale.

Goals: Trundle 8, McIndoe 16, Noble 51.

Preston Lonergan, Hart, Trotman, St. Ledger, Hill,Sedgwick (Carter 57), McKenna, Chaplow, Lewis Neal (Whaley 58),Brown (Beattie 57), Mellor.

Subs Not Used: Davidson, Hawley.

Booked: Hill, Chaplow, Sedgwick.

Att: 19,169

Ref: Iain Williamson (Berkshire).