Danny Cowley had a plan for Preston North End

Cowley's Huddersfield Town side frustrated PNE in a 0-0 draw at The John Smith's Stadium, with the visitors unable to register a shot on target.

The Terriers boss admitted that it wasn't a classic but tactically, there was a lot to enjoy from the game.

"It wasn't one for the purists but when you don't play well and you don't play well in the attacking end of the pitch, you have to keep the back door closed," the 41-year-old said.

"If you really like football and like the tactical part of the game, watch us against the ball today.

"We did a lot of good work. We were really compact and really organised. We played a really good Preston team - no shots on target.

"It wasn't until the last five minutes where we got a bit leggy that we gave them any chances.

"When you play against the direct teams like Preston, they normally get quite vertical because they play vertical patterns, so they get a bit of distance between their defenders and their attackers.

"If you can be good enough to absorb the direct play you can counter through them."

Although North End didn't offer too much in front of goal, neither did Huddersfield. The Yorkshire side managed to hit the target just once, from range, with their only shot.

Cowley admits he had to adjust his plans in order to accommodate the high energy style of the Lilywhites.

He said: "They had some possession, Preston, but it didn't threaten us and they didn't hit the target.

"It's hard for us because Preston are a tough team to play, they're probably the second fittest team in the division.

"We want to high press ideally, when the games come thick and fast it's hard to do that because of the energy levels.

"Against Preston's tactic if you do high press the pitch becomes bigger on you and they've got real running power and they're capable of running over you.

"So we had to stay in an organised, compact shape. We wanted to draw them out and counter but we couldn't get our counters off today."