text: He headed in Daniel Johnson's free-kick as Preston inflicted a first home defeat of the season on the Canaries.
  Norwich's Cameron Jerome hit the post with a volley moments after the goal and forced Chris Maxwell into a fine reflex save with the follow-up.
  Bailey Wright then cleared Alex Pritchard's header off the line as Norwich tried in vain for an equaliser.
  The win extended Preston's unbeaten run to seven games as they rose to ninth place in the Championship, while Norwich slipped from second place to fourth as they lost for just the third time this season.
  Maxwell  made a smart save from Jerome after just 14 seconds and Michael McGovern thwarted Jordan Hugill four minutes later.
  But neither side had another great chance until well into the second half as Pritchard's curling free-kick was deflected by a Preston defender and edged just past the angle of post and crossbar.
  Baptiste's powerful header proved to be the difference as he met a free-kick after Martin Olsson had unnecessarily fouled Callum Robinson by the corner flag.
  Norwich City boss Alex Neil:
  "It was really, really sloppy. We have defended set-pieces well all game and then we allow Baptiste to have a free run from a central area and head the ball in.
  "It was a very frustrating game for us because although we had a lot of the ball we didn't do enough with it. That is what can happen when five or six of your players aren't at their best.
  "We had a lot of possession, but that means nothing if you don't make full use of it. We needed to do more with the ball today. It was really disappointing."
  Preston manager Simon Grayson:
  "We defended really well and we also posed a threat to them as well and had plenty of chances over the course of the game.
  "It wasn't that long ago that we had lost six of the first seven and the some of the natives were getting a little restless. But since we lost 5-0 at Brentford the lads have knuckled down and put a good run together.
  "The confidence of the players is obviously high at the moment after the good results they have had but no-one is getting carried away."
  Match ends, Norwich City 0, Preston North End 1.
  Second Half ends, Norwich City 0, Preston North End 1.
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Bailey Wright.
  Russell Martin (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Jordan Hugill (Preston North End).
  Offside, Norwich City. Martin Olsson tries a through ball, but Wes Hoolahan is caught offside.
  Substitution, Preston North End. Paul Huntington replaces Callum Robinson.
  Nélson Oliveira (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Ben Pearson (Preston North End).
  Foul by Nélson Oliveira (Norwich City).
  Alex Baptiste (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Attempt missed. Graham Dorrans (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.
  Attempt blocked. Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  Foul by Bailey Wright (Preston North End).
  Attempt saved. Callum Robinson (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Johnson.
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Bailey Wright.
  Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  Delay in match Timm Klose (Norwich City) because of an injury.
  Attempt missed. Timm Klose (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Wes Hoolahan with a cross following a corner.
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Bailey Wright.
  Attempt missed. Timm Klose (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Pritchard with a cross following a corner.
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Daniel Johnson.
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Alan Browne.
  Attempt saved. Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
  Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box.
  Goal!  Norwich City 0, Preston North End 1. Alex Baptiste (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Johnson with a cross following a set piece situation.
  Foul by Martin Olsson (Norwich City).
  Callum Robinson (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  Substitution, Preston North End. Alan Browne replaces Paul Gallagher.
  Substitution, Preston North End. Thomas Spurr replaces Ben Pringle.
  Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  Foul by Alex Baptiste (Preston North End).
  Corner,  Norwich City. Conceded by Chris Maxwell.
  Attempt saved. Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
  Greg Cunningham (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  Nélson Oliveira (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  Foul by Greg Cunningham (Preston North End).
  Attempt saved. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordan Hugill.
  Corner,  Preston North End. Conceded by Ryan Bennett.
target: Alex Baptiste's header late in the second half saw Preston upset high-flying Norwich at Carrow Road.