North End had suffered a loss of form over the past six weeks. This is partly down to injuries but Preston have just not reached their early season levels and this showed in a rather disappointing home game against Bolton.
Alex Neil made changes. Mavididi came in for the suspended Hugill. Neil's insistence to use one up front is stubborn at best especially when the youngster is not suited to that role. It meant that Preston were wholly restricted in the final third.
The 4-2-3-1 formation had left Preston exposed in recent games especially at full back. It is credit to O'Connor that he had his best game yet. Boyle also held himself well alongside Huntington.
There was a surprise return for Woods at full back who recovered from his knee injury. There was further encouragement that long term absentee Tom Clarke was on the bench. There is a ray of hope that the injury situation is starting to clear up.
Gallagher anchored midfield with Pearson and his experience is necessary at the moment whilst Robinson and Barkhuizen played out wide with Browne in support. Preston were largely flat going forwards and it is unclear what Harrop needs to do to get a game.
North End had the better of the opening with a couple of close chances but it was the visitors who came stronger after the break. Maxwell made one save from a curling shot and tipped another long range effort over the bar.
Preston should be thankful that they were playing Bolton. Whilst the visitors have had an upturn in fortunes a far better side may have exposed the home team.
Parkinson has been around in football for sometime and his strategy is unlikely to change. Preston's back four were able to cope with the threat posed but it is at the opposite end where the concerns are now being raised with another blank drawn.
Preston face two away games at Bristol City and Norwich which will test them. North End need to start picking up points whilst the injuries resolve so that they do not get sucked into a relegation battle in the second half of the season.