Cardiff manager Steve Morison said: "It was an excellent performance, we just didn't cap it off with a goal.
Ryan Lowe
"They defended their box really well and, if we keep playing like that, we'll win more than we lose.
"Performance first and the result will follow. To a man, we were fantastic but just didn't have that one [chance] fall to us.
"Everyone in our team had a chance today and they [Preston] put their bodies on the line and defended really well. It was just one of those days."
Preston manager Ryan Lowe said: "I didn't think it was one of our better performances.
"I thought Cardiff were superb in everything they did and we were second best all over the park.
"My three centre-backs and goalkeeper were outstanding to keep another clean sheet, and we just weren't at our fluent best creating chances.
"I'm disappointed with the performance but pleased we've haven't conceded and pleased we've got a point without playing well."