Bristol City 1-2 Preston: Simon Grayson and Steve Cotterill reaction

Greg Cunningham's winning goal for Preston against his old club Bristol City surprised even his own boss Simon Grayson, who described the strike as a "sweet moment" for the defender.

Cunningham volleyed home Paul Gallagher's 80th-minute corner at the far post to earn North End a 2-1 win and leave his former employers in the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone.

Delighted Preston manager Grayson said: "Greg has been taking stick in training for not even looking like scoring. But it was a training ground routine tonight and a sweet moment for him, which he fully deserved.

"He has played left-back, left centre-back and tonight wing-back for us, so he has been a very good signing."

Grayson, who confirmed he was on the verge of signing 20-year-old midfielder Liam Grimshaw from Manchester United, was pleased with a disciplined Preston display as they made it three Championship wins on the trot.

He added: "We select a team to make life difficult for the opposition, but we also know we have good players capable of winning games.

"The first half was good from our point of view because our keeper hasn't had a save to make. We didn't pass the ball as well as we can, but we were professional and very solid.

"After we scored we were a bit sloppy for their equaliser, but after that the lads showed great character and we hit the post before grabbing the winner."

After a dire first half the shackles were broken when Preston grabbed a 54th-minute lead.

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Gallagher's left-wing cross was headed past his own goalkeeper by City centre-back Nathan Baker under pressure from Joe Garner.

City were level within two minutes, though, when Aden Flint controlled Mark Little's cross and the ball broke for Aaron Wilbraham to lash it home from 10 yards.

Preston struck the post through Daniel Johnson before Cunningham volleyed the visitors back in front, but City had a late chance to equalise only for Jonathan Kodjia to see his stoppage-time header hit a post.

Visiting keeper Sam Johnstone also made fine second-half saves from Wilbraham and substitute Bobby Reid to leave home boss Steve Cotterill frustrated.

He said: "It was a difficult night for us. The players gave all they could give, but a lot of energy and emotion had been expended at West Brom on Saturday.

"We didn't have the normal snap about our game in the first half and Preston enjoyed it because we played to their strengths.

"They came to keep a clean sheet and ended up nicking the game. We couldn't rest six players as they did on Saturday.

"My lads have left everything on the pitch. They are giving all they have, but we need to add bodies to our squad and that has been the case since May.

"These are tough times and we have to get through them. We deserved to win, but how many times have I said that this season?"