Defender Lewis Miller jumps in the six-yard box to head Blackburn in front against Preston at DeepdaleGetty Images

Lewis Miller heads home Blackburn's opener against Preston

David Anderson
BBC Sport England

Andri Gudjohnsen headed home a second-half winner as Blackburn stunned Preston at Deepdale to dent North End's promotion hopes.

Preston would have climbed to second in the Championship if they had won this Lancashire derby, but away-day specialists Blackburn put paid to those ambitions.

Lewis Miller headed Blackburn in front with his first Rovers goal just before half-time but Preston caught the visitors napping to level through Alfie Devine 80 seconds later.

However, back came Blackburn and Valerien Ismael's side deservedly won when Gudjohnsen headed home his fourth goal in five league games to clinch their fifth Championship away win - a tally only leaders Coventry can match.

Rovers soaked up early Preston pressure and goalkeeper Aynsley Pears denied Lewis Dobbin when he parried the North End midfielder's left-footed effort.

Pears rescued Rovers again when he saved Michael Smith's shot with his left hand at full stretch and debutant George Pratt, recalled on loan from National League North side Chorley on the eve of the game, made a crucial block from the rebound.

From there, Blackburn cranked up the pressure and North End keeper Daniel Iversen saved from both Sean McLoughlin and Ryoya Morishita before the visitors took the lead on 45 minutes.

Ryan Hedges swung over a corner for Australian Miller to head home from inside the six-yard box.

But Blackburn went to sleep after their hard work to allow Preston to equalise almost immediately in first-half stoppage time.

Dobbin touched the ball on for on-loan Tottenham midfielder Devine to squeeze his shot home, despite Rovers' desperate attempts to hack it clear.

After the break, Iversen saved Yuki Ohashi's shot before Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Bolton striker Eidur – restored Rovers' lead on 62 minutes.

Morishita sent over a free-kick to the back post, where Gudjohnsen headed home from close range.

Preston faded badly, failing to summon a real chance of an equaliser, and Iversen made a key save to prevent a Blackburn third, touching away Morishita's angled drive for a corner before the Japan winger flashed another effort across goal and wide.

'We showed all the faces you need' - reaction

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael:

"We showed all the faces you need in the Championship.

"You have to stay strong, you have to suffer, you have to play football and you need set-pieces. The game was the Championship clearly defined.

"We were able in all phases of the game to show the quality and what we've learned from all the games. Now the next step is the home games. We struggle to win at home. The performance is right but we are not winning.

"This is what is missing this season. If we can combine it now this will be good for our confidence and momentum."

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom:

"It's a tough one. Sometimes you come off having given your best and really pleased with how you played and hold your hands up, but I think that one is on us.

"You're on top and you miss your chances then you give two set-play goals away. You're going to have to do something special to win the game so we're disappointed with those two elements.

"We were wasteful in the first 30 minutes when we were on top. They had a good five minutes before they scored but no chances, so for us to concede from a set-play is disappointing.

"We wanted to start the second half the way we started the first, but I didn't really think we did. We made the changes, but then conceded the set-play straight away so it puts you on the back foot. It was a difficult night."

Player of the match

A. Guðjohnsen
8.18
21 A. Devine
6.26
26 T. Small
5.00
17 L. Dobbin
5.00
1 D. Iversen
4.97
16 A. Hughes
4.86
42 O. Offiah
4.70
6 L. Lindsay
4.67
14 J. Storey
4.63
18 J. Lewis
4.44
24 M. Smith
4.43
4 B. Whiteman
4.42
22 S. Þórðarson
4.24
9 D. Jebbison
4.19
10 M. Frøkjær-Jensen
4.03
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