With other play off chasing teams playing each other and Millwall defeated on Friday night the home game against Norwich was a perfect opportunity for Preston to close the gap on the top six as the season reaches the final stretch.
Clarke partnered Huntington at the back in the one real selection headache for Neil. Robinson was again given the lone striker role with Bodin and Barkhuizen in support.
It was a warm, end of season, type of day with the visitors already nestled in mid-table. Preston had one main chance in the first half which was a free kick from Gallagher which rebounded off the bar and away.
Huntington was injured in the first half and was replaced by Davies at the break. Harrop and Maguire came off the bench early to try to press some momentum into the home side.
Harrop was involved with the creativity and Preston had two clar cut chances within a matter of moments which would prove costly perhaps even bigger in the contect of a top six place.
Bodin was on the right hand side of the box and turned inside on his left foot. He curled a shot inches outside of the post when with some more composure he might have scored.
Moments later Maguire was gifted with a gilt edged chance. A cross came in with Maguire left on his own a matter of yards from the goal. He somehow managed to head over the bar after being unchallenged.
Preston had missed their big opportunities. Clarke also injured himself adding to the frustration and he soldiered on for the last half an hour playing effectively with one leg.
It is another home game where they have failed to beat a side lower down in the table and these dropped points over the course of 46 games are likely to mean Preston fall just short of the top six.
There are sill two games remaining and Preston do sit two points off Millwall. The problem is that Derby have three games to play and remain above Preston. In addition, Brentford have a slightly easier run in and also rest above Preston in the table.
North End travel to Sheffield United where they lost earlier in the season in the FA Cup. It is a tough game and Preston are now outsiders for a top six finish.