Lewis Dobbin fired the visitors in front from Jordan Thompson’s through ball after eight minutes at Ashton Gate and Alfie Devine sealed a deserved success with a low 70th-minute drive from a narrow angle.

North End defended their lead with impressive organisation and fierce commitment against opponents who had enhanced their own play-off prospects with a thumping 5-0 New Year’s Day home win over Portsmouth.

Manager Heckingbottom said: “I thought we threatened all game and the only disappointment is that we didn’t create more clear chances from the positions we got into.

“I consider Bristol City one of the most dangerous teams in the Championship and the fact that our goalkeeper has made so few saves is a testament to how well we defended.

“It was a really strong away performance and I can’t praise the lads highly enough at the end of a busy four-game period.

“Three of those matches were away which meant a lot of time on the coach travelling. It was a rough schedule for our fans as well as the players.

“They have been fantastic and it’s nice now to look forward to three home games. Our performance levels have been where I want them to be and, while we can’t be great every week, when we play well, we are a match for anyone.”

City came back down to earth with a bang after the euphoria of their biggest victory of the season and head coach Gerhard Struber was very unhappy with the goals conceded.

“I am super disappointed because of how cheaply we have gifted Preston their goals,” he said. “Sometimes you can accept defeat, but not when it happens in this manner.

“They were in front without knowing how they did it. Against a team as well organised as Preston, you cannot afford to let them score so easily.

“Another difference to the Portsmouth game was that we were not clinical. Between the two boxes we played well, but we were not strong or sharp enough in their penalty area.”

Struber was happy with the debut of new signing Sam Morsy as a second-half substitute and is optimistic of recruiting a striker before next Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Watford at Ashton Gate.

He said: “Sam showed he can bring control to our game in midfield. I am hopeful of completing another deal soon and the priority in to bring in someone who can help us score more goals.”