Preston 1 Leeds United 1: Late equaliser was well deserved admits Grayson

With both sides safely in mid-table in the league, the match was inevitably a low-key affair with few chances in the first half at Deepdale.

The breakthrough came on 78 minutes when Preston keeper Chris Kirkland brought down Luke Murphy and United striker Chris Wood dispatched the penalty.

Sol Bamba then cleared Paul Gallagher’s effort off the line while Adam Reach had a goal ruled out for offside before Preston equalised through Hugill.

Grayson said: “I think we deserved at least a point. We played well, the performance epitomised what we are this season, Leeds didn’t really look like scoring.

“We showed that character again to get the late goal. A lot of teams would have accepted that they’re going to lose the last game of the season 1-0 but not my players.

“I think we always said the first port of call was to stay up. I think if anyone had said we’d finish in the top half at the start of the season, lots would have said ‘who are you kidding?’ but ultimately we can be really chuffed with what we’ve done.

“We know our strengths and we know our weaknesses but to finish where we have, above lots of more experienced teams, speaks volumes for the players.”