By David Dulin BBC Sport Wales at Deepdale

Peter Whittingham's solo strike kept Cardiff City in the hunt for automatic promotion and sent Preston down to League One.

Craig Bellamy broke the offside trap early on and picked out Whittingham, who fired his 11th goal of the season into the roof of the net.

Dekel Keinan, Seyi Olofinjana and Chris Burke all had chances for the visitors.

Preston came close when Chris Brown hit the post, and Nathan Ellington had a shot deflected off the line.

It means Phil Brown's side will be playing League One football next season after Crystal Palace beat Leeds United 1-0.

Sheffield United's shock win at Reading piled on more misery as Preston slipped to the bottom of the Championship table.

They put in a spirited display but they could not break down a solid Cardiff side that held firm as they continued their automatic promotion charge, but stay in third after Norwich's last-gasp 3-2 win against Derby County.

It took just six minutes for the Bluebirds to break the deadlock, as Bellamy raced into the box before squaring to the onrushing Whittingham who fired into the roof of the net.

Interview: Cardiff manager Dave Jones

Bellamy almost replicated that move soon after before the Wales striker saw a shot of his own deflected off Leon Cort for a corner.

And from Burke's resulting delivery, defender Keinan sent a free header over the bar from the edge of the box.

Preston showed fight but lacked any real threat up front, leaving visiting goalkeeper Tom Heaton untroubled by a handful of crosses.

As the hosts tried to press, Cardiff were ready to hit them on the break.

Jay Bothroyd had a penalty appeal waved away after he skipped into the box before appearing to go down under a challenge from Preston keeper Iain Turner.

Moments later, another Burke corner was not dealt with and this time Olofinjana volleyed unmarked, only to see Turner tip the ball over.

But Preston weathered the storm and - despite losing top score Iain Hume to injury - they finished the half strongly, seeing four chances go begging in quick succession.

First Ian Ashbee drilled an effort just wide from the edge of the box and then Darren Carter met substitute Darel Russell's cross with a glancing header, only to be denied by the fingertips of Heaton.

Then, from the corner, Brown sent a header against the post and the rebound fell to Ellington whose shot was blocked on the line by his team-mate, Billy Jones.

Cardiff were forced into a defensive reshuffle just after the restart when Kevin McNaughton hobbled off to be replaced by Mark Hudson.

Brown reflects on bittersweet day for Preston

But it was defensive partner Paul Quinn who was almost caught out when Keith Treacy beat him to the ball but the legs of Heaton kept Preston at bay.

Preston were pushing but were caught on the break and Cardiff wasted a chance to put the game to bed.

Bothroyd worked hard to find Burke on the right and his cross was met by Olofinjana, who headed over from 12 yards, before Bellamy smashed an effort goalbound, which Turner palmed away.

Preston felt they should have had a penalty just before the hour mark when Treacy went down under a challenge from Quinn, but loud appeals were turned away by referee Phil Gibbs.

Cardiff soon found their stride, though, and Olofinjana headed another effort wide, this time from Jlloyd Samuel's cross.

Then Burke almost buried Preston in superb fashion, charging through a host of players before a quick one-two with Olofinjana, only to be denied by Turner.

Preston pushed hard once again for a way back in but it was too little, too late and their first relegation in 18 years was confirmed.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones: "We've got to keep applying the pressure. If it's automatic or via the play-offs, we've just got to keep going.

"Playing two games in three games is very difficult but in the first half today we could have been three or four goals up.

"I played here (in the 1980s) but this business is ruthless and I came here with the intention of winning the match, regardless of whatever the outcome was."

Preston boss Phil Brown: "You can say you came in too late or that the previous guy in charge was there too long, but I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't think I could keep the club in the Championship.

"So I hold myself responsible for the relegation. If you look back, we didn't get our first win until too late and after that it was catch-up time. The luck that evaded us has evaded us again today."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Preston North End

  • 21 Turner
  • 02 Morgan Booked
  • 19 Jones
  • 29 Cort (Barton - 58' )
  • 10 Nicholson
  • 11 Treacy
  • 24 Ashbee
  • 41 Carter
  • 09 Brown
  • 16 Hume (Russell - 34' )
  • 18 Ellington (Hayes - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Lonergan
  • 42 Wright
  • 45 Devine
  • 15 Barton
  • 20 Russell
  • 08 Hayes
  • 38 Proctor

Cardiff City

  • 22 Heaton Booked
  • 02 McNaughton (Hudson - 47' )
  • 12 Keinan
  • 14 Quinn Booked
  • 21 Samuel
  • 07 Whittingham
  • 10 McPhail
  • 11 Burke
  • 20 Olofinjana
  • 09 Bothroyd Booked
  • 39 Bellamy (Chopra - 72' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Brown
  • 05 Hudson
  • 04 Rae
  • 19 Koumas
  • 23 Blake
  • 08 Chopra
  • 16 Parkin
Ref: Phil Gibbs
Att: 12,818

Match Stats

Shots

15 12

On target

9 6

Corners

8 9

Fouls

10 19

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:33 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +4:56

The referee blows for offside against Jay Bothroyd. Iain Turner takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +4:05

Foul by Barry Nicholson on Peter Whittingham, free kick awarded. Peter Whittingham takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:55

Inswinging corner taken by Keith Treacy, Mark Hudson fouled by Chris Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

90:00 +2:34

Stephen McPhail gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Billy Jones. Free kick taken by Iain Turner.

90:00 +0:49 Booking

Booking The referee shows Paul Quinn a yellow card.

90:00 +0:12

Corner taken left-footed by Keith Treacy, clearance by Mark Hudson.

89:43

Corner taken by Keith Treacy from the left by-line played to the near post, Stephen McPhail makes a clearance.

87:54

Darren Carter takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Hudson.

87:25 Booking

Booking Jay Bothroyd is shown a yellow card.

87:02

Centre by Keith Treacy, comfortable save by Tom Heaton.

85:03

Inswinging corner taken by Keith Treacy from the right by-line, Darren Carter produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

84:18

Jlloyd Samuel concedes a free kick for a foul on Keith Treacy. Free kick crossed by Keith Treacy, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.

83:07

A cross is delivered by Paul Hayes, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.

82:17

Foul by Mark Hudson on Paul Hayes, free kick awarded. Keith Treacy crosses the ball in from the free kick, Jlloyd Samuel manages to make a clearance.

81:34

Barry Nicholson sends in a cross.

80:24

The ball is crossed by Barry Nicholson, Effort from deep inside the area by Darren Carter misses to the left of the target.

79:59

Michael Chopra challenges Ian Ashbee unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Craig Morgan.

79:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Treacy by Chris Burke. Darren Carter restarts play with the free kick.

77:40

A cross is delivered by Darel Russell, clearance made by Mark Hudson.

75:56

Effort from just outside the box by Darren Carter goes over the bar.

75:29

The ball is delivered by Paul Hayes, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.

74:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darel Russell by Stephen McPhail. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Keith Treacy.

73:45

Unfair challenge on Craig Morgan by Jay Bothroyd results in a free kick. Iain Turner takes the direct free kick.

72:44

Mark Hudson restarts play with the free kick.

72:44 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Ellington goes off and Paul Hayes comes on.

72:44

Jlloyd Samuel fouled by Darel Russell, the ref awards a free kick.

72:27

The ball is swung over by Darel Russell, Dekel Keinan makes a clearance.

71:15

Iain Turner restarts play with the free kick.

71:15 Substitution

Substitution Michael Chopra joins the action as a substitute, replacing Craig Bellamy.

71:15

The assistant referee flags for offside against Seyi Olofinjana.

69:34

The ball is swung over by Paul Quinn, Billy Jones manages to make a clearance.

68:31

Craig Bellamy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Barry Nicholson. Direct free kick taken by Iain Turner.

67:38

Peter Whittingham restarts play with the free kick.

67:38 Booking

Booking Craig Morgan is booked.

67:33

Craig Morgan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Bellamy.

66:40

Shot by Chris Burke. Iain Turner makes a brilliant save.

65:48

The ball is crossed by Jlloyd Samuel, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Seyi Olofinjana misses to the right of the goal.

65:26

Craig Bellamy produces a cross, clearance made by Adam Barton.

64:40

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Burke from the right by-line, clearance by Ian Ashbee.

64:29

The ball is delivered by Stephen McPhail, clearance by Craig Morgan.

64:11

Corner taken short by Peter Whittingham.

63:56

Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Blocked by Billy Jones.

63:40

Craig Morgan challenges Peter Whittingham unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Peter Whittingham.

62:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Morgan on Jay Bothroyd. Jlloyd Samuel takes the free kick.

61:19

Centre by Keith Treacy.

61:00

Jay Bothroyd concedes a free kick for a foul on Billy Jones. Direct free kick taken by Billy Jones.

59:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by Adam Barton on Stephen McPhail. Stephen McPhail takes the free kick.

59:29

Darel Russell takes a shot. Save made by Tom Heaton.

57:34 Substitution

Substitution Adam Barton joins the action as a substitute, replacing Leon Cort.

56:03

Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Save made by Iain Turner.

54:40

Foul by Dekel Keinan on Chris Brown, free kick awarded. Keith Treacy crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Tom Heaton.

53:49

Chris Burke sends in a cross, Header on goal by Seyi Olofinjana from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

52:48

Foul by Dekel Keinan on Nathan Ellington, free kick awarded. Keith Treacy produces a cross, Billy Jones takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.

51:58

Mark Hudson challenges Chris Brown unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Morgan.

51:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Quinn by Darren Carter. Free kick taken by Paul Quinn.

50:31

Keith Treacy has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Save made by Tom Heaton.

50:08

Shot from just outside the area by Peter Whittingham goes over the bar.

49:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Bellamy by Darren Carter. Tom Heaton restarts play with the free kick.

49:02

Stephen McPhail challenges Ian Ashbee unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Carter crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, clearance by Mark Hudson.

48:15

The referee blows for offside against Darren Carter. Free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

46:58 Substitution

Substitution Mark Hudson on for Kevin McNaughton.

45:46

Darren Carter delivers the ball.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +3:21 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +1:10

Darren Carter fouled by Jay Bothroyd, the ref awards a free kick. Iain Turner takes the direct free kick.

42:32

Centre by Billy Jones, Kevin McNaughton makes a clearance.

42:17

Dekel Keinan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Ellington. Ian Ashbee takes the free kick.

40:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Seyi Olofinjana by Nathan Ellington. Tom Heaton restarts play with the free kick.

40:04

Craig Bellamy produces a cross, Effort from deep inside the area by Peter Whittingham misses to the right of the goal.

39:51

Darel Russell delivers the ball, clearance by Stephen McPhail.

39:06

Nathan Ellington takes a shot. Darren Carter gets a block in.

38:20

Corner taken left-footed by Keith Treacy from the left by-line, Chris Brown produces a header from close range which bounces off the post.

37:57

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Keith Treacy from the left by-line.

37:41

The ball is delivered by Darel Russell, Darren Carter takes a shot. Tom Heaton makes a brilliant save.

36:18

Ian Ashbee produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.

35:57 Booking

Booking Tom Heaton receives a yellow card for dissent.

35:37

Stephen McPhail challenges Nathan Ellington unfairly and gives away a free kick. Barry Nicholson takes the direct free kick.

33:11 Substitution

Substitution Darel Russell on for Iain Hume.

32:50

Craig Bellamy crosses the ball.

32:02

Peter Whittingham decides to take the corner short.

31:51

The ball is delivered by Peter Whittingham, clearance made by Leon Cort.

30:57

Jay Bothroyd is ruled offside. Iain Turner takes the free kick.

27:32

The ball is delivered by Paul Quinn.

25:39

Shot from 25 yards by Nathan Ellington. Save made by Tom Heaton.

24:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Peter Whittingham on Chris Brown. Free kick crossed by Keith Treacy, Jlloyd Samuel makes a clearance.

22:47

Billy Jones delivers the ball.

22:31

The assistant referee flags for offside against Craig Bellamy. Darren Carter takes the indirect free kick.

20:55

Corner taken right-footed by Chris Burke, Dekel Keinan has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

20:19

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Burke, Seyi Olofinjana has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Chris Brown gets a block in.

19:33

Peter Whittingham takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Darren Carter manages to make a clearance.

17:22

A cross is delivered by Craig Bellamy, clearance by Billy Jones.

16:05

Outswinging corner taken by Chris Burke, Header from deep inside the area by Dekel Keinan goes over the bar.

15:42

Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Craig Morgan gets a block in.

14:49

Iain Hume crosses the ball, Tom Heaton makes a comfortable save.

14:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Seyi Olofinjana on Chris Brown. Direct free kick taken by Darren Carter.

12:09

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Iain Turner.

11:34

Inswinging corner taken by Iain Hume from the left by-line played to the near post, save made by Tom Heaton.

11:16

Shot from 25 yards from Keith Treacy. Dekel Keinan gets a block in.

10:47

Corner from the right by-line taken by Peter Whittingham, comfortable save by Iain Turner.

9:55

Corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham to the near post, clearance by Ian Ashbee.

9:49

The ball is sent over by Craig Bellamy, blocked by Leon Cort.

9:03

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Iain Hume from the left by-line, Seyi Olofinjana makes a clearance.

7:41

Craig Bellamy produces a cross, comfortable save by Iain Turner.

7:15

Iain Hume delivers the ball, save made by Tom Heaton.

5:46

Craig Bellamy provided the assist for the goal.

5:46 Goal scored

Goal - Peter Whittingham - Preston 0 - 1 Cardiff Peter Whittingham grabs a goal from close in high into the middle of the goal. Preston 0-1 Cardiff.

4:48

The ball is sent over by Iain Hume, save made by Tom Heaton.

3:40

Iain Hume has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

3:17

Unfair challenge on Chris Brown by Chris Burke results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Billy Jones.

2:37

The ball is swung over by Barry Nicholson.

2:14

A cross is delivered by Chris Burke, Craig Morgan makes a clearance.

1:09

The ball is crossed by Nathan Ellington, save by Tom Heaton.

0:52

Centre by Paul Quinn, clearance made by Leon Cort.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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