Promotion-chasing Preston and Sheffield United played out an uninspiring, goalless draw in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at Deepdale.

Goalscoring chances were few and far between as the game failed to live up to the expectation created by the two clubs' aims of promotion to the Premier League.

With United finely-placed in fifth place and Preston hot on their heels just one place behind them prior to kick-off, fans would be forgiven for thinking they were in for a fiery encounter.

However, Brian Howard's rasping drive that flew over at the start of the second half and Stephen Quinn's disallowed goal in the 76th minute was as close as the dominant visitors came to troubling the scoreboard.

It was a dour, defensive-minded encounter as the home side offered little in the way of attacking impetus until Chris Brown's gilt-edged miss late in the game almost snatched an undeserved three points for the Lilywhites.

The game began in a cagey fashion with both sides happy to retain possession and build from the back.

It was not until the 13th minute that fans witnessed the first shot on goal as Lilywhites midfielder Richard Chaplow made some space for himself before testing goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from 20 yards.

However, it was the visitors who enjoyed the majority of possession although they lacked the creative spark to create any openings of note.

Goalscoring chances were few and far between, although Preston did come to life during the final five minutes of the half.

But their sporadic attacks were snuffed out by the defensive-minded Blades as Chris Sedgwick's drive was bravely blocked by Leigh Bromby.

The best chance of the first half fell to former Barnsley midfielder Howard who unleashed a ferocious drive from the edge of the area which had goalkeeper Andy Lonergan at full stretch in the 43rd minute.

Both sides suffered unexpected defeats in midweek as the Lilywhites were crushed 4-1 at in-form Swansea while United's nine-game unbeaten run came to a halt in the 1-0 defeat to lowly local rivals Doncaster.

Preston manager Alan Irvine was without influential winger Ross Wallace and the experienced Callum Davidson after both players failed late fitness tests, allowing Sedgwick and Eddie Nolan to start.

The second period began with a flurry as a rejuvenated United pressed for the opener and Howard's rasping effort cleared the bar by inches a minute in.

The Blades began to gain confidence and were fast moving up the gears as a hurried clearance from Youl Mawene was sliced over his own cross bar and goalkeeper Lonergan had to take evasive action to palm Bromby's header over from the resulting corner.

Despite being overwhelmed in the possession stakes, the home side still threatened on the counter attack and should have taken the lead in the 66th minute when Stephen Elliott's inswinging cross found strike partner Jon Parkin but his improvised back heel rolled inches wide.

The visitors always looked the most likely side to snatch the lead and came close when Danny Webber's drilled effort crept narrowly over.

Kevin Blackwell's Blades did finally find the back of the net in the 76th minute but were frustrated by the linesman's flag as Danny Webber was penalised for being offside after Quinn's effort from the edge of the box had Lonergan beaten.

But just as both sides seemed resigned to sharing the spoils, substitute striker Brown should have sealed maximum points for the home side but he clipped a gilt-edged chance over from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Teams

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick,McKenna, Chaplow (Carter 68), Nicholson, Elliott (Brown 81),Parkin.

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Hawley, Whaley.

Booked: Parkin.

Sheff Utd Kenny, Halford, Morgan (Bromby 29), Kilgallon,Naysmith, Howard, Montgomery, Naughton, Quinn, Henderson,Webber.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Hendrie, Jihai, Sharp.

Booked: Henderson.

Att: 14,889

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).