Despite the 3-1 home loss to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, Preston retained their place in the Championship play-off spots as they look to reach the Premier League under Alex Neil.
It was a disappointing afternoon which allowed teams such as Bristol City, Cardiff City, Millwall and Swansea City to close the gap. There are now just six points separating eight teams for the final play-off spot.
We look at some of the key statistics from the weekend relating to Preston and sides around them in the Championship table, as well as the individual players who shone or struggled elsewhere in the division.
5. Freaky Friday for Forest
It was a Friday to forget for Nottingham Forest as they went down 3-0 to Millwall, all goals coming in the first half. The game showed that possession isn’t everything. Forest had more than 68% of the possession, way above their season average of 47.85%. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk
6. Off target Preston
Despite going down 3-1 to QPR at home on Saturday, Preston still managed to have a better xG than their opponents - 1.32 to 0.93. What it means that realistically they should not have been defeated. Yet they hit the target with just two of their ten shots. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk
7. Kalas keeps Mitro quiet
Tomas Kalas put in a commanding performance as Bristol City held Fulham and kept themselves in the play-off hunt. The centre-back made four clearances, nine interceptions and two blocks. He won five defensive duels and six aerial duels. Imperious. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump
8. Star of the weekend - Matt Smith - Millwall
It could only be one man. The striker netted a 13-minute first half hat-trick to down Nottingham Forest. Smith scored with all three of his shots and all three of his touches in the box ended up in the back of the net. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk