Deepdale draw between top-two

Saturday 11 April 2015 19:00, UK

Aaron Wilbraham helped Bristol City take another step to automatic promotion - and the title - after a 1-1 draw at Preston.

In a day that also saw Preston owner Trevor Hemmings' horse Many Clouds claim the Grand National, Wilbraham, who had earlier been twice denied by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, cancelled out Jermaine Beckford's strike as the points were shared at Deepdale. The feisty encounter burst into life after 18 minutes when Wilbraham's glancing header, from Joe Bryan's cross, forced Johnstone into a great reflex save. Beckford's overhead kick went just wide after James Tavernier failed to deal with a long ball after half an hour. Wilbraham's close-range header clattered the underside of the crossbar early in the second half, courtesy of Johnstone's fingertip save. Beckford steered Paul Gallagher's low shot in from close range after 59 minutes to put the hosts in front. But the lead proved short-lived, with Aden Flint heading across goal for Wilbraham to nod in four minutes later after Preston failed to clear Luke Freeman's free-kick. With neither side able to force a winner Steve Cotterill's side remain eight points clear of the Lilywhites, who have a game in hand, at the top.