Jack Whatmough’s stoppage-time own goal rescued a point for Leeds United in their clash with Preston North End, ensuring the Whites stayed in contention at the top of the Championship.
A brilliant first-half counter-attack, initiated and finished by Brad Potts, coupled with Preston’s determined second-half defending, seemed poised to hand Leeds their third away defeat in four matches.
However, relentless pressure from Daniel Farke’s side eventually paid off in the 93rd minute when Dan James delivered a cross that deflected off the unfortunate Whatmough and into the net.
The draw moved Leeds ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference at the top of the table. However, the Blades have the chance to reclaim a three-point lead with a win against struggling Plymouth later in the day.
Despite the late setback, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom can take solace in his side’s continued improvement, as this result extended their unbeaten run to six games.
For Leeds, avoiding a fourth league loss offered little comfort, as they have managed just one win in their past eight away fixtures.
The frustration was palpable among the 5,656 traveling fans, who had arrived full of optimism but saw their team fall behind to a superbly executed counter-attack.
The opening goal was a moment of brilliance. From the edge of his box, Milutin Osmajic orchestrated the play, spinning past a Leeds defender and sprinting down the right wing before delivering a perfect cross. Potts was on hand to finish sharply at Illan Meslier’s near post.
Leeds created opportunities to equalize in the first half, with the clearest falling to Brenden Aaronson, who squandered a gilt-edged chance from 10 yards out.
Their frustrations grew further when Preston’s Ben Whiteman avoided a second yellow card despite a strong challenge on Jayden Bogle in the 36th minute, following an earlier booking for a foul on Aaronson.
Ultimately, Leeds’ persistence salvaged a vital point, keeping their promotion ambitions on track.
Daniel Farke received a booking from referee John Busby for his animated protests on the touchline, but his Leeds side showed significant improvement in the second half, piling relentless pressure on Preston. The pace and trickery of Wilfried Gnonto on the left and Dan James on the right caused constant problems for the hosts.
Ao Tanaka came close to scoring after one of Gnonto’s incisive runs, but Freddie Woodman was well-positioned to block his effort.
While Leeds dominated possession, Preston remained a threat on the counter. Emil Riis nearly doubled the lead on the hour mark, heading straight at Illan Meslier when a more accurate finish might have sealed the win. That miss would prove pivotal.
Looking to change the game, Farke introduced Patrick Bamford in place of Brenden Aaronson in the 65th minute. The striker nearly equalized five minutes later, attempting a clever backheel from three yards out after James whipped a ball across the face of goal, but the effort went wide.
Leeds continued to press, with James hitting the crossbar with a stunning 20-yard strike. Largie Ramazani also forced a save from Woodman, who pushed his shot around the post. As full-time approached, the momentum was entirely with Leeds.
Finally, in the 93rd minute, James delivered another dangerous cross into the box. With striker Mateo Joseph poised to capitalize, the ball deflected off Jack Whatmough and into the net, securing a dramatic and hard-earned point for Leeds.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom speaking to Sky Sports:
“The effort from the players deserved more but I don’t feel as bad as I have done with a lot of the other draws we have had over recent weeks.
“Our goal was an area of Leeds’ play which we felt we could exploit. We felt it was a good way to create chances and it proved that way and with a bit more quality on the final pass in the second half and we would maybe have got more.
“But with the effort and concentration required in keeping Leeds out at the other end, it takes its toll.
“In terms of us and how we play, the top 10 before today no one has beat us. No one. So that shows what type of team we can be but we also know we haven’t got the rewards when we have been the best team.
“Another pleasing day for me. We got a lot of things right but just the timing of the goal makes it feel worse.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports:
“If you give one chance away and they score the goal it is always going to be difficult especially against such a well-defending side like Preston in a home game on a difficult pitch.
“But the longer the game went the better we were and I think would have fully deserved also to win the game but to draw it was a good point.
“I wanted to talk to the fourth official why he was not showing a [second] yellow card [to Ben Whiteman]. In my thought was it was an important foul just outside the box with the straight leg.
“I wanted to ask why it wasn’t a yellow or red card and I wasn’t allowed to talk to the fourth official.”