Preston North End manager Simon Grayson has praised his players for sticking to the gameplan and earning an impressive point against Middlesbrough.

The Lilywhites restricted their promotion-backed opponents to zero shots on target, while themselves coming close to finding a breakthrough.

Having seen his side hold their own against Boro, Grayson admitted that he set his team out to contain the visitors' attacking talents - including summer recruit Stewart Downing, who had little impact in the final third.

"I thought the players worked extremely hard, carried out the gameplan and on another day we could quite easily have had a couple of goals," he is quoted as saying by the Lancashire Evening Post.

"We've limited Middlesbrough to I don't think a shot on target, which is some achievement given the players they've got. Overall, I'm really satisfied with a really professional performance but also some good quality at times."

Newly-promoted Preston return to action in midweek with a League Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra.