Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1 live: Reaction and recap as Whites open five-point Sheffield United gap

Another lunchtime kick-off awaits Leeds United today through the Championship visit of Preston North End as the club’s automatic promotion bid reaches the final five games of the season.

Here, upon landing at Elland Road, we will bring you all of the pre-match build-up followed by in-game updates and analysis and then post-match reaction. In the meantime, here is the early Leeds team news and predicted Whites line-up for the 12.30pm kick-off which is being televised on Sky Sports Plus.

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FULL TIME! Incredible as Plymouth also beat Sheffield United

Late Leeds sub

Solomon off for Byram, just 2 minutes of added time left

Added time

SIX minutes. Edge of the seats stuff but Leeds seeing this out well.

WOW!

Plymouth have scored again, this place is going mad.

Final five 5 minutes

Crazy atmosphere, feels like a cup final. Preston going for it.

Goal Plymouth!

1-1 v Blades, huge cheers going around the stadium.

Double Leeds change

Bamford and Schmidt on for Gnonto and Aaronson. Ten minutes left. Nervy. Blades still 1-0 up.

Blimey, not an easy watch

Darlow comes flying out of his box to punch clear a corner but is judged to have handled the ball outside the box, yellow card and free kick. Great chance for Whiteman but his free kick hits Aaronson in the wall on the head and flies over. Leeds then attack down the other end and Piroe drills one wide. Crowd chanting for Bamford.

So many chances

The Leeds xG is 3.43 which says it all - latest chance sees the ball trickle wide off Gruev after a Rodon touch at a corner. Still 2-1 with 20 minutes left and Preston remain a threat when they get forward

Crossbar Leeds!

Piroe - again - smashes a shot against the bar from Solomon.

Leeds chance

Piroe, again, flashes wide from an Aaronson through ball

Brilliant save Karl Darlow

Very clever Preston corner, ball worked perfectly to Whiteman on the edge of the box, fierce strike but Darlow flies through the air to save.

Back underway at Elland Road

No changes at the break.

Half time report - Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1

Leeds made another brilliant start and went ahead with just four minutes on the clock via a Manor Solomon screamer.

Receiving the ball on the left side of the box, the Tottenham loanee cut inside before unleashing a beautiful curled effort that flew into the top right corner of the net.

Preston, though, equalised with their first attack just two minutes later in not too dissimilar fashion through Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

The Lilywhites worked the ball to Kesler-Hayden on the right side of the area and the Preston player also produced a fine finish past Karl Darlow into the bottom left.

After a dangerous Preston attack was ended by an offside flag, Leeds looked to respond but Bogle fired wide from the edge of the box.

Bogle, though, then fired the Whites back ahead with just 13 minutes on the clock after more fine work from Solomon.

This time the winger worked space for a cross on the left flank and his low delivery flew across the face of the goal, Bogle showing great anticipation to nick in front of his man towards the far post and poke the ball home from close range.

Leeds were on top, albeit Preston offering a threat on the break, and the Whites twice went close to bagging a third through first Joel Piroe and then Willy Gnonto.

Piroe twisted and turned on the edge of the box before unleashing a low shot which trickled just wide.

A few minutes later, Preston keeper David Cornell saved the day to keep out a strong low drive from Gnonto which was tipped wide for a corner which was cleared.

Leeds then looked certain to go 3-1 up in the 35th minute as good work from Brenden Aaronson and Junior Firpo led to the ball landing at the feet of Piroe six yards out with the goal gaping but an outstanding block forced his strike for a corner.

A couple of Preston attacks were then ended by strong goalkeeping by Karl Darlow who raced out to clear a long ball over the top before again showing safe hands to gather a dangerous corner.

Back up the other end, good work from Gnonto led to Aaronson being played in but the American's low shot was well saved by Cornell and Aaronson's attempt to net with a follow up header on the rebound was weak and dropped wide.

After Preston's Andrew Hughes was booked for fouling Piroe, the half ended with one more Leeds chance for Piroe whose looping shot on the turn after a lovely pass from Gnonto dropped just wide, much to the Dutchman's despair.

Leeds United v Preston North End: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Tanaka; Gnonto, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe. Subs: Meslier, Byram, Schmidt, Debayo, Wober, Guilavogui, Ramazani, Joseph, Bamford.

Half time

2-1 Leeds. Half ends with another good chance for Piroe, lovely ball across the box from Gnonto tees him up, first time looping shot back across goal loops wide

Blades

1-0 up at Plymouth, Rak-Sakyi. Must win here for the Whites. Two minutes added time to end the first half. Hughes booked for a foul on Piroe.

Double chance Leeds

Gnonto plays in Aaronson, good save by Cornell, ball bounces back to Aaronson who tries to convert at the second attempt with a header which is weak and wide.

Outstanding sliding block - then strong play by Darlow

Denies Leeds a third, Piroe looked sure to score with the goal gaping after good work from Firpo and Aaronson down the left. Sliding block forces his strike wide for a corner. Preston are still a threat here though, cross from Meghoma cleared for a corner after Darlow rushes out to a long ball and boots it into the West Stand, no chances taken. Darlow again gathers the corner, good stuff. Crowd applaud.

Good chances Leeds

Piroe from the edge of the box, quite unlucky, turned, low shot, squirmed just wide. Gnonto then sees a decent shot well saved by Cornell to tip the ball wide.

GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! 2-1!!!!

Bogle restores the Whites lead! Lovely cross from Solomon from the left, fantastic movement and anticipation from Bogle to steam in behind his man and poke the ball home from close range. 2-1 after just 13 minutes. This game just won’t settle, Preston then win a corner conceded by Rodon, Leeds have everyone pack but Darlow shows safe hands to gather a dangerous delivery and now the crowd are singing his name.

Bonkers start

Beautiful strike from Solomon to put Leeds ahead, cuts in from the left and fires in a curler to the top right from the edge of the box with just four minutes on the clock. Yet Preston hit back just two minutes later and equalise with their first attack, ball worked to Kesler-Hayden who also fires across goal into the bottom left. Preston then get into the Leeds box again but are flagged offside, Leeds respond and Bogle fires wide, corner then cleared.

Oh, goal Preston

1-1. Not too dissimilar strike from Kesler-Hayden.

GOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolute screamer from Solomon!!

Underway, Gnonto....

Is on the right wing, not at no 10. Leeds attacking the South Stand in the first half. Leeds with the early possession, Preston already very compact and organised.

Here we go!

Teams out to a fantastic atmosphere and a sea of yellow and white shirts.

You won’t get rich

Backing Leeds - more crazy short odds. 3-10 the best you’ll get but as short as 2-9 with some firms to beat Preston who can be backed at 14-1 to get out of here with all three points, The draw is 11-2. Most fans I have spoken to think Leeds will have too much for the Lilywhites - even allowing for knowing how hard Leeds can make life for themselves. Predictions ranging from 2-0 to 4-0. Let’s go with 2-0 Leeds although early goal probably key.

Bouncing about

Karl Darlow as he enters the pitch as the first one out for warm ups, looks to have a real spring in his step, warm ups underway in the Elland Road sun.

Team news - one change - as expected - Gnonto for the injured James

Leeds United v Preston North End: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Tanaka; Gnonto, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe. Subs: Meslier, Byram, Schmidt, Debayo, Wober, Guilavogui, Ramazani, Joseph, Bamford. #lufc

One change on the bench too as Debayo replaces the ill Chambers who has glandular fever. Gnonto always looked the obvious call to replace James. It will be interesting to see if it is Gnonto or Aaronson out wide. Gnonto probably. Ramazani was the other clear option out wide but bench again for him, and for Bamford still who must be seriously challenging Piroe now to start up tops - fitness permitting.

Leeds United arrivals at Elland Road

Ilia Gruev the first one out. Joseph and Debayo with him. Bogle and captain Ampadu next. Ampadu posing with fans for a few photos, always has time for that. Piroe - needs a goal - the next one out.

Good morning from Elland Road!

Glorious morning, blue skies over Elland Road and the heat is rising, as it is in the automatic promotion race. A huge, huge couple of hours in store this lunchtime with Leeds at home to Preston North End and Sheffield United away at Plymouth Argyle - both in 12.30pm kick-offs. Leeds just two points ahead of the Blades. Massive. Leeds back down to second after Burnley’s 2-1 win v Norwich last night- three points behind but with a better goal difference and now a game in hand. Time to answer that call. All the build-up and updates throughout the day here.

Leeds team news

Pascal Struijk’s season is over due to a foot fracture and the defender is one of four Whites men out for today’s visit of the Lilywhites. Dan James (hamstring) and Joe Rothwell (calf) are also out injured whilst young midfielder Sam Chambers is sidelined due to being ill.

Predicted Leeds line up: Darlow; Bogle, Ampadu, Rodon, Firpo; Gruev, Tanaka; Gnonto, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe.