Preston North End play-off push assessed after Wrexham draw at Bristol City

PNE were keen onlookers as two of their Championship play-off rivals went head-to-head on Tuesday night.

In-form Wrexham travelled to Bristol City as both sides looked to force their way into the top six - but they cancelled each other out after an entertaining affair at Ashton Gate. It was the Welsh outfit that drew first blood as midfielder Oliver Rathbone opened the scoring 11 minutes before half-time but that lead was cancelled out just two minutes after the restart as Sinclair Armstrong got the hosts back on level-terms. Wrexham’s lead was restored with quarter of an hour remaining with a own-goal from Robins substitute Joe Williams - but the spoils were shared thanks to a last-minute equaliser from hosts midfielder Max Bird.

The draw means Preston are sitting in eighth place in the table as Paul Heckingbottom’s men find themselves sandwiched between Wrexham and Bristol City following their draw. All three clubs are within touching distance of the play-off places and it is North End that will get the first opportunity to move into the top six this weekend as they make the short trip to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers on Friday night knowing they can move into the play-off spots with a win at Ewood Park.

North End’s push for the play-offs is likely to go until the final weeks of the season and hopes of a first ever promotion into the Premier League remain very much alive as Heckingbottom continues to enjoy a remarkable first full season in charge at Deepdale as his side have been converted from relegation candidates to play-off contenders. So what lies ahead ahead in the play-off race and where are North End predicted to finish?

This weekend’s Championship fixtures

Friday: Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End (8pm) Saturday: Hull City v Queens Park Rangers (12.30pm), Middlesbrough v Oxford United (3pm), Millwall v Portsmouth (3pm), Norwich City v Birmingham City (3pm), Southampton v Charlton Athletic (3pm), Stoke City v Leicester City (12.30pm), Swansea City v Bristol City (12.30pm), Watford v Derby County (3pm), West Bromwich Albion v Coventry City (12.30pm), Wrexham v Ipswich Town (3pm) Sunday: Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday (Midday)

Opta’s latest predicted final Championship table

24th: Sheffield Wednesday - 4.27 points 23rd: Oxford United - 43.69 points 22nd: West Bromwich Albion - 51.06 points 21st: Blackburn Rovers - 51.89 point 20th: Portsmouth - 53.95 points 19th: Charlton Athletic - 56.29 points 18th: Leicester City - 56.43 points 17th: Norwich City - 58.85 points 16th: Swansea City - 59.87 points 15th: Queens Park Rangers - 61.15 points 14th: Stoke City - 62.20 points 13th: Sheffield United - 63.57 points 12th: Watford - 63.57 points 11th: Birmingham City - 64.98 points 10th: Bristol City - 65.73 points 9th: Preston North End - 66.60 points 8th: Wrexham - 67.41 points 7th: Derby County - 67.82 points 6th: Southampton - 68.07 points 5th: Hull City - 76.17 points 4th: Millwall - 77.27 points 3rd: Ipswich Town - 80.53 points 2nd: Middlesbrough - 84.76 points 1st: Coventry City - 85.43 points

What have Preston North End said about their play-off push?

Speaking ahead of Friday’s short trip to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers, midfielder Ali McCann told the club website: “I'm happy with how it's going. I think the team as well on the whole has been really good. We've got 14 games left to hopefully finish strongly. It's always nice to be out there playing and hopefully it continues. I think I can just try and set an example with performance more than anything and the more I'm out there, the more I can do that.

“I'm always happy to dig in for the team and try to get results like everyone else and it's a joy to be a part of the squad at the minute. Games like that next week are always ones that you note down in the diary and I think the whole squad will be buzzing for it. Friday night games are good as well. I know the fans will bring a big following to Ewood, so it's one we're really buzzing for.”

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