Pitman stars as Ipswich set early pace

Mick McCarthy's side won for the third time in their first four matches to remain ahead of second placed Brighton on goal difference.

Heading into the clash at Deepdale, Preston were the only side yet to concede a goal in the English second tier this season.

But that impressive run came to an end in the 24th minute when Freddie Sears' cross was nodded in at the near post by former Bournemouth striker Pitman.

Preston responded strongly after Pitman's first Ipswich goal and Daniel Johnson slotted home the equaliser eight minutes before half-time.

Ipswich regrouped at the interval and snatched the points in the 65th minute when Ryan Fraser took Pitman's pass and curled a right-footed effort over Jordan Pickford from 20 yards.

"We have quite clearly made progress year on year and let's hope we continued to make progress and finish higher than sixth," McCarthy said.

"I haven't got the biggest squad of players but the players I have are good players. I am delighted because it was a hard-fought game."

Brighton have also made a bright start and Kazenga LuaLua swept in his third goal of the campaign in the 35th minute to down Blackburn 1-0 at the Amex Stadium.

"The encouraging thing is that, although we didn't play particularly well, we are winning games," Brighton manager Chris Hughton said.

- Speculation -

Charlie Austin gave his Premier League suitors another nudge with two goals as QPR beat Rotherham 4-2 at Loftus Road.

Austin, in the news this week after West Ham co-owner David Sullivan questioned his fitness, looked in decent shape when he teed up Dutch midfielder Tjaronn Chery for the opener just before half-time.

Chery doubled his tally five minutes after the interval before Austin beat Millers goalkeeper Kelle Roos from 20 yards just after the hour.

Jonson Clarke-Harris and Tom Thorpe pulled two back for Rotherham but Austin's 90th-minute penalty secured the points.

"I hope he stays," QPR boss Chris Ramsey said of Austin. "No-one has give us any indication that we are going to lose him, but obviously there is speculation.

"Ambition is a big thing. When you're a footballer you want play at the highest level you can and there are the Euros coming up.

"But (England manager) Roy Hodgson has played players from the Championship before. Charlie might be better off staying here and scoring a hatful of goals."

Uwe Rosler is still searching for his first win as Leeds manager after Sheffield Wednesday secured a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.

Bolton's first goal in almost 11 hours rescued a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Gary Madine missed a penalty for Bolton and it looked like they would be made to pay when David Vaughan lashed in his first Forest goal.

But Stephen Dobbie's 20-yard strike in stoppage-time ended Bolton's long wait to celebrate a goal.

In the day's late match, Cardiff claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 home success against Wolves.

Elsewhere, Burnley beat Brentford 1-0, Charlton defeated Hull 2-1 and Bristol City won 1-0 at Middlesbrough.

Fulham drew 1-1 against Huddersfield and Reading drew 0-0 with Milton Keynes Dons.