It was a case of so near but yet so far at Deepdale, as Preston huffed and puffed but ultimately could not find the solitary goal that would have sealed the three points.
After looking the better team for long periods, the killer touch in front of goal eluded the Lilywhites as their plan to record back-to-back home victories was thwarted.
But, with the home match against Southampton only three days away, Paul Simpson and his team won't have long to stew on today's goalless draw.
Without too much real goal mouth action Preston dominated the first period. Carter and Davidson passed the ball to feet, Hawley came short and Gallagher tried a few deft flicks. Nicholls mopped up and Sedgwick looked his usual industrial self on the right.
After starting proceedings with a succession of corners, the first real opportunity came with one of Darren Carter's left-footed deliveries. The ball landed at the unmarked Hawley's feet and having directed the ball towards goal, captain Kevin Nicholls poked wide from close range.
Gallagher fired over after claims for a penalty and the lively Karl Hawley failed to get a touch to a Chris Sedgwick cross-shot.
Bristol City rarely threatened with their first real effort coming with a Bradley Orr curler on 20 minutes. Andy Lonergan made a routine catch, one which he wouldn't have minded after not having much else to do in the opening exchanges.
In the final third, the partnership of Hawley and Gallagher showed signs of promise. The pair created a half chance on 30 minutes when after forging decent link up play on the edge of the Robins box, Hawley blazed a few yards over with a left footed effort. The duo created another opening 10 minutes later, this time Gallagher having an effort from a similar distance. Although his drive was on target, Basso in goal made a decent save.
Lee Trundle used his ability to forge the best opening for Bristol, with the ball ending up flashing across the goal from a McIndoe cross. But as the half wore on the game became more even and possession became rather sporadic.
Hawley, rewarded with a start for his performance at Cardiff and recent reserve outings, had arguably the best effort. Callum Davidson broke and laid the ball off to the former Carlisle man, seven yards out. From a tight angle he hit a low skidding shot which Basso did extremely well not just to save but also hold.
North End had the first chance of the second period. A slick move which started out at left back and ended on the right wing resulted in a blocked effort from number seven Chris Sedgwick. Moments later the majority of the PNE fans in the Town End were on their feet hurling abuse at referee Mariner for his failure to award a penalty when Kevin Nicholls took a stumble just inside the area.
Fontaine and Brian Wilson, not to be mistaken with the former Beach Boys lead singer, had attempts which went wide of Lonergan's right hand post as Bristol City showed signs of their intent whenever and wherever possible.
Paul Gallagher was replaced by Neil Mellor in a straight swap up top on the hour. Within minutes he almost registered his first goal of the season with a half volley that flew only inches over the worried Basso's goal. His impact certainly caused problems for City as he ferreted about searching for scraps and put Gary Johnson's back four under pressure.
Lee Trundle's weak free kick hit a Preston wall with just over 15 minutes left before Darren Carter misplaced a cross when he had various options waiting in the middle.
Typically, the game became increasingly scrappy the more it wore on. Sedgwick drove an effort in from 20 yards and Carter had an effort acrobatically saved from the edge of the box as it became more apparent that it was not going to be PNE's day.
PNE for all their hard work might have come away from the game with nothing. They had the crossbar to thank as it came to their rescue with less than five minutes left. Scott Murray nutmegged Youl Mawene, but his close range effort bounced back off the bar. The 750 or so visiting supporters could not believe it, as for a split second they thought their team had nicked the points.
However, it was not to be for both sides as referee brought proceedings to a close in this goalless draw.
PNE: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene (St Ledger 87), Chilvers, Hill, Sedgwick, Nicholls, Davidson, Carter, Hawley (Agyemang 80), Gallagher (Mellor 63) (Subs not used: Chris Neal, Lewis Neal)
Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McAllister, Fontaine, Carey, McIndoe, Wilson (Murray), Trundle (Skuse 80), Elliott, Sproule (Byfield 57), Johnson (Subs not used: Vasko, Weale)
Yellow Cards: Fontaine, Byfield
Red Cards:
Attendance: 12,098
Referee: Mr Alan Mariner
