Dave Seddon's verdict: Preston North End 0 Queens Park Rangers 0 - Gordon's alive but Lilywhites draw a blank at Deepdale

Of all the business Preston North End did in January, the signing of Gordon on loan from Everton could turn out to be the best.

The most exciting at any rate, the Scouse winger the type of player who gets fans off their seats – or out of their armchairs as things stand.

When supporters finally get back into stadiums, it is players of Gordon’s ilk who people pay their hard-earned money to watch.

He was the stand-out player in North End’s goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night.

Gordon got Sky’s man of the match plaque to go with his birthday presents, there really couldn’t be anyone else.

Victory would have made it all the sweeter, Gordon having three good sights of goal to make that happen as well as setting up chances for team-mates.

Those weren’t taken so a draw – only PNE’s fourth of the season – had to suffice.

At least it halted the run of two defeats, the second of those being that error-strewn setback at Cardiff last Saturday.

Had there been a third loss on the bounce, it would have grown the pressure on Alex Neil which is coming from some sections of the fanbase at the moment.

In terms of attacking play, North End were better than they had been for a while.

That included in the 2-1 win at Blackburn earlier in the month.

During the first half especially, they attacked with purpose and all that was missing was that clinical edge in front of goal – the bit which really counts.

PNE had 15 chances over the 90 minutes, the telling statistic being that just three of those landed on target.

Gordon was often at the forefront of those missions forward, clearly enjoying his second start in a Preston shirt after being on the bench for the last two games.

While Gordon shone on PNE’s left-wing, over on the other side his fellow loanee Sepp van den Berg quietly caught the eye.

The Dutch teenager has been borrowed from the other side of Stanley Park than Gordon, joining on the same day from Liverpool.

This was van den Berg’s first start following a debut from the bench a few weeks ago against Rotherham.

A centre-half by trade, he played at right-back here and acquitted himself well.

He put over a fine cross for one of Gordon’s chances and earlier the roles had been reversed as van den Berg forced a save out of the QPR keeper from a Gordon corner.

As 0-0 draws go, this was one of the more entertaining stalemates you’ll see.

Whether it kept a national television audience entertained, I’m not sure.

But those with a vested interest in PNE and QPR would have enjoyed it.

The West London outfit arrived in Lancashire having won six of their last seven games and there spells in the game when their movement was very good.

A couple of times in the opening stages they got behind North End’s back four, their best chance of the game coming in the sixth minute.

Todd Kane’s pass released Lyndon Dykes in the box, his low shot blocked well by Daniel Iversen’s outstretched boot.

A second chance on the other side of the box saw Dykes lift a shot over Iversen and drop beyond the far post, PNE breaking from there.

It led to Gordon getting into the box, beating his marker and hitting a low drive which Seny Dieng saved.

Van den Berg saw a header at the far post tipped over by Dieng, then he turned provider before half-time with a cross which found Gordon in the middle – the winger putting a header too high.

Scott Sinclair had PNE’s best opening of the second half, clearing the bar with a shot from Greg Cunningham’s cross.

A point was not to be sniffed at, bearing in mind the run QPR were on and the confidence they had arrived it.

North End have a second home game coming up, with Huddersfield the visitors on Saturday. That one needs to be won.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here