Bristol City are on course to lose their second League One game in a week after Callum Robinson gave third-placed Preston North End the lead at Ashton Gate.
Preston, looking to put last week's home defeat to Bradford City behind them, almost forged an early lead through a Neil Kilkenny shot from distance, but his effort was kept out by Frank Fielding.
The Robins tried to impose themselves on proceedings as both Luke Freeman and Aaron Wilbraham went close to finding a breakthrough.
Both sides continued to create chances as Fielding needed to produce saves from Joe Garner and Tom Clarke, while Aden Flint fired wide for the hosts.
Preston's adventure in attack finally paid off when Chris Humphrey played a pinpoint pass in to Robinson, who tapped in from close range on 28 minutes.
Flint tried to bring the leaders back on terms minutes later, but his close-range header was too high to trouble Thorsten Stuckmann.
Kieran Agard brought the first save out of Stuckmann late in the half, but City almost fell further behind before the break when Robinson was afforded space to shoot only for Fielding to keep his effort out.
Chris O'Keefe
