Simon Grayson's Preston North End side followed up their 3-0 win over Charlton with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against table-topping Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Simon Grayson's Preston picked up a third clean sheet in a row at Brighton
Simon Grayson's Preston picked up a third clean sheet in a row at Brighton

Tomer Hemed almost opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes but blazed over after being played in by Sam Baldock.

David Stockdale then did well to keep out an Eoin Doyle header, before Jamie Murphy had two chances to score but Jordan Pickford produce two quality saves.

Substitute Joe Garner almost won the game with a looping header, but the ball was well cleared off the line and the game ended goalless, pushing Preston further away from the relegation zone.

Here are three things we learned from the contest:

1) Brighton need more goalscorers

Tomer Hemed has been scoring, and already has five goals to his name after his summer arrival, but Sam Baldock isn't producing enough and they lack another defined goalscorer.

Although this is only the second game this season that the Seagulls have failed to score, if Chris Hughton's men are to sustain a promotion push, they will need to find more goals in the team, otherwise other sides will find a way of nullifying their limited attacking threats.

2) Preston can grind out results

This is a third consecutive clean sheet for Grayson's side, which shows they can be defensively solid and organised if set up properly. They've only conceded 13 goals so far this season, the least in the bottom half of the division.

To go to the league leaders and hold them to a goalless draw is no mean feat, and if Jordan Pickford keeps up his quality form between the sticks then there is no reason why Preston can not maintain their Championship status.

3) Joe Garner will come good

He was last season's top scorer in League One for North End, but this year he has failed to score, and hasn't looked at all like the player he was last season. He has yet to adapt to the step up in quality needed in the Championship.

However, he did look lively after coming on during the game, and if Grayson sticks his faith in him, then he will eventually come good.

Brighton and Preston fans... do you agree? Do Brighton need more goalscorers? How well organised have Preston been lately? Will Garner come good? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!