Leeds United 1 Preston 1 - Stuart Dallas strikes to earn late Whites point at Elland Road

Leeds United earned a late 1-1 draw against Preston North End in the Championship on Boxing Day.

Marcelo Bielsa was forced into one change with Pablo Hernandez having been ruled out for a month Gjanni Alioski stepped into the starting line-up.

The Whites started the afternoon in sloppy style as a number of misplaced passes and heavy touches failed to find the target.

As United faltered, Preston grew in confidence.

Kiko Casilla was caught in no mans land after leaving his box but Brad Potts failed to capitalise with his shot before Ben White need to intervene at the vital moment as Tom Barkhuizen looked to head home.

North End, though, did open the scoring after the 20 minute mark as Leeds were caught on the break.

Mateusz Klich was caught in possession which allowed the Lilywhites to break over the halfway line with Alan Browne set free.

The midfielder raced away and slotted home with ease past Casilla to hand the visitors a deserved lead.

There were still more signs of danger for Bielsa's outfit but they finally mustered an attempt on goal through Alioski which appeared to spark the Whites into life.

Luke Ayling flashed a shot over the bar before Liam Cooper failed to connect with a chance at the second phase of a corner.

Alioski again powered a header over the bar but Leeds were left trailing at the interval after a disappointing opening half of play.

The game turned into a feisty affair after the break with a number of yellow cards handed out to both sides.

Stuart Dallas forced Declan Rudd into a strong hand before United brought Eddie Nketiah on in place of Patrick Bamford.

The Arsenal loanee was immediately involved as he helped set up a glorious chance for Alioski as Helder Costa picked out his run but the North Macedonian fired over the goal at his mercy.

Nketiah then saw a header saved by Rudd who scrambled to claw away the effort.

Alioski then struck the post with a venomous shot from outside the area as the low drive cannoned back off the inside of the post and away from goal.

As time ran on it was the full-back again causing havoc as Rudd was again called in action to palm away a header from the back post.

Leeds, though, finally got their goal in the final minute of normal time as the ball was cut to Dallas on the edge of the area.

The Northern Irishman let fly from outside the box with his curling effort deflecting into the top corner to spark wild celebrations.

United had one more chance in added time as Costa dragged a half-volley past the post with Leeds maintaining an eight-point gap with the late strike.

Leeds United: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Alioski, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Bamford (Nketiah 63). Subs: Meslier, Douglas, Struijk, Berardi, Gotts, Stevens.

Preston North End: Rudd, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Hughes, Pearson Browne, Barkhuizen, Potts, Maguire, Nugent (Ledson 69). Subs: Ripley, Storey, Harrop, Gallagher, Bodin, Stockley.

Referee: Darren Bond

Attendance: 35,680