Leeds United earned a hard fought 2 – 1 war of the rose’s victory over Preston North End in a thrilling encounter at Deepdale.
Neil Kilkenny and Billy Paynter’s expert strikes were enough to give Leeds a vital three points in their push for promotion, despite Preston’s Ian Hume pulling a goal back with a 30 yard screamer.
Lonergan replaced the injured Turner in the North End goal and Leon Cort, Barry Nicholson and David Gray all failed to shrug off injuries. Ricardo Gardner made his Lilywhites debut after signing on an emergency loan deal from neighbours Bolton Wanderers.
Simon Grayson opted to leave leading scorer Luciano Becchio on the bench and instead opted for Billy Paynter. Villa loanee Barry Bannan took his place amongst the substitutes.
The game started like a house on fire with both teams attacking frantically for the early opener and it nearly came for the home side after just 2 minutes.
Keith Treacy picked the ball up on the edge of the area and unleashed a wicked effort that cannoned Schmeichel’s crossbar and bounced down. Officials who included the ever talked about Sean Massey deemed the ball not to have crossed the goal-line.
On 9 minutes after a North End free-kick, ping-ball in the area gave the powerful Carter the chance, but he headed straight into the arms of the Leeds stopper.
It was then Leeds’ turn to attack. Grayson’s men broke away and Howson had a chance after he was set free but he skied well over from 20 yards.
With both teams exchanging blows, it was hard to tell which side was in the play-off places and which was in the relegation zone.
It was then Preston’s turn to try their luck. Lonergan’s kick picked out the lively Johnson on the right, who cut inside onto his left foot and drilled a shot that stung the palms of the Leeds goalkeeper.
Only 20 minutes had past and the contest continued to excite; the tricky Gradel was twice denied by Lonergan and at the other end Johnson cut in from the right but his shot flew just wide.
The game then took a deserved breather, but after a surprisingly quiet period, the away-side took the lead on the half hour mark.
The ball fell kindly to Snodgrass down the right and his low cross was only cleared to Neil Kilkenny whose delightful 25 yard strike went in off the post.
Preston could count themselves unlucky to be behind, but Leeds nearly doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, but Paynter shot inches wide.
Treacy and Preston started the second half like they did the first. The winger unleashed a ferocious drive that Schmeichel palmed away.
On 52 minutes Brown thought he had equalised for North End, but his effort was rightly ruled out for offside.
Shortly after, Gradel fired narrowly wide, but Leeds didn’t have to wait long for their second.
On 56 minutes, Schmeichel’s long goal-kick was met by Paynter who followed up his header to smash the ball past Lonergan into the top right hand corner for his first goal for the club.
But, six minutes later Preston were deservedly back in it.
Treacy released the hard working Hume who from 30 yards hit a wonder strike into the top corner to give the bottom side hope.
However three minutes later, North End nearly contributed to their own downfall. A harmless cross was chested onto his own post by debutant loanee Gardner.
Preston threw everything at the Leeds defence in the closing stages, but they could not break through a stubborn Schmeichel who took a leaf out of his father’s book with a body sprawling save to deny Ellington late on.
The defeat leaves Preston 13 points from safety with only 11 games left to play.
After the game, Preston boss Phil Brown praised the Leeds defence:
“I thought it was a blood and thunder game, a proper red rose vs white rose encounter.
“Leeds put a performance in defensively tonight that was worthy of them getting a victory, but I’m after that little bit of quality in the final third.”
Simon Grayson also praised his defence and striker Billy Paynter:
“We’ve fought we’ve scrapped and obviously we’re back in the running now.
“Hopefully he gets a lot more goals now.”
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