Preston North End edged Charlton Athletic 1-0 at The Valley on Sunday afternoon to send themselves top of the Sky Bet Championship.

This season’s second-tier is proving tighter than ever and both sides came into this clash knowing that a win could see them gain real ground on those above them.

Preston, of course, had the added incentive of going top and replacing Leeds United at the summit, with them confirming only the day before that Alex Neil would not be talking to Stoke City any time soon.

Conveniently enough, both Neil and Charlton man Lee Bowyer have been linked with the Potters’ role so far this season and the reason why was evident enough in this one – with both sides providing stern defences that were difficult to break down.

Indeed, this was a game of limited chances in truth, though it was Preston that managed to exert more control on the match as it wore on.

In the first half, both sides had a couple of chances each – though neither can really say they had massively clear-cut moments.

Dillon Phillips did well to save a low effort at his left-hand post, Beram Kayal should have shot on the right-hand side when played in by Conor Gallagher, but instead failed to find Macauley Bonne.

As the break came, it was clear that changes were perhaps needed at the break to bring this match to life, with it clear as day that this was a Sunday lunchtime kick-off – it just lacked a bit of intensity.

Bowyer blinked at half-time, then, as he took off Naby Sarr – who didn’t have his best game - for Jonathan Leko and Alex Neil, having already being forced into a change that saw Daniel Johnson come off for Paul Gallagher in the first-half, left things as they were for North End.

It was Gallagher, too, who took the armband from Alan Browne when coming on, that also took the all-important penalty just before the hour mark.

If Sarr had struggled in the first-half, it was Jason Pearce who had the problem in the second, bundling over Jayden Stockley who had been a typical a nuisance all game, Tom Lockyer’s no doubt swollen face after a first-half collision will testify to that.

And, with top spot at stake, it was the skipper that fired home for North End. Dillon Phillips went the right way for Charlton, but Gallagher’s penalty was simply struck too well.

From here on, Preston did a good job of controlling this game.

Charlton had brief moments but they were brief, as the away side looked after the ball better and kept the Addicks at bay.

Indeed, here perhaps was a sign why North End are so keen on keeping Neil at the club. Whilst this wasn’t a vintage performance from either team, the Lilywhites did enough to eke out the three points. Their game management was better today and at key points in the contest, they just did what they needed to that bit better than the hosts.

Lee Bowyer – back on the touchline after his recent ban – will not panic; there were still a few decent passages for the Addicks, but some sloppiness crept in at times and, indeed, it was the team that made the least amount of mistakes today – and were that bit slicker – that won out.

The sign of champions from North End, then? It may be too soon to label them that given how tight this division is right now. But, Alex Neil will be pleased enough with how his side found a way to win in the end, and usually that pays dividends when the prize-giving begins at the end of the season.

You have to admire Stoke’s ambition, but Neil is very well placed where he is right now.