Jordan Hugill nets late equaliser to deny Leeds last-day victory
Jordan Hugill's stoppage-time equaliser secured Preston a 1-1 draw against Leeds at Deepdale.
Hugill profited from a defensive mistake to fire in the leveller after Chris Wood's 78th-minute penalty appeared to be giving Leeds victory in what could be Steve Evans' final game as head coach.
After a slow start to the game, Preston went close in the 21st minute when Paul Gallagher's cross picked out Joe Garner who stooped low but headed wide from six yards.
And the hosts, who have now not won in their last six home games, came close again when Daniel Johnson picked out Adam Reach on the left edge of the area, but his low cross was gathered by Marco Silvestri.
But two minutes later Leeds almost grabbed the lead. A long ball forward by Lewie Coyle caught out the Preston defence and top-scorer Wood lobbed the ball over Chris Kirkland from the edge of the area only for it to land on the roof of the vacant net.
Leeds were coming more into the game and a smart move after 35 minutes released Stuart Dallas down the right, whose cross was met by Alex Mowatt 12 yards out but he headed over the bar.
A couple of minutes before the break there was another chance for Garner to open the scoring. Reach fired in a driven cross from the left which found the striker unmarked, although his header was off target.
Preston enjoyed a spell of pressure just after half-time, culminating in a chance for Calum Woods in the 49th minute but he fired over the bar with an effort from the right edge of the area.
And Simon Grayson's side wasted a huge chance after 52 minutes. Reach won the ball from Coyle and was clean through on goal but failed to pick out former Leeds favourite Jermaine Beckford to his right. The ball fell to Garner, whose effort from 12 yards was easily held by Silvestri.
Down the other end, Kirkland was forced into a smart save after 59 minutes as he tipped Wood's header round the post.
But the breakthrough moment came in the 78th minute. Leeds came close with a cross from the left before Kirkland left his goal to challenge Luke Murphy, succeeding only in bringing down the Leeds midfielder in the area with a clumsy tackle. Wood stepped up and buried the penalty for his 13th Championship goal of the season.
Preston had a great opportunity to equalise after 85 minutes but Gallagher's strike from 15 yards was saved by Silvestri before Sol Bamba cleared his follow-up effort off the line.
The hosts were celebrating in the final minute, but Reach's finish was ruled out for offside.
However, in added time, substitute Hugill profited from shambolic Leeds defending to fire low past Silvestri from six yards.
Source: PA
