Leeds United beat Preston North End with late penalty winner

The result leaves them just four points off the play-off places, with Elland Road breathing a collective sigh of relief at full-time, following Joel Piroe's last-gasp winner from the penalty spot.

A remarkable start to the game saw both sides find the net in the opening six minutes, with Leeds dominating proceedings thereafter.

But they could not find the breakthrough they were after until a handball from Preston's Ryan Ledson on 93 minutes gifted them a penalty.

Piroe was calmness personified from the spot, rolling the ball to North End keeper Dai Cornell's left and into the net to win the game for Leeds.

Will Keane swept the visitors in front after only 65 seconds, after the hosts failed to deal with a free kick into the box.

Liam Millar slammed the loose ball across the face of goal and Keane was there to turn it home past Illan Meslier from three yards out.

The home side hit back quickly, with Dan James heading home Junior Firpo's cross at the back post to level the scores.

Dan James (20) quickly headed Leeds level after they had been rocked by the worst possible start. (Image: PA.)

The game calmed down thereafter, though Millar did force a decent save out of Meslier and Firpo had a free kick that just cleared the crossbar.

Cornell saved a headed effort from Bamford before the break, while Georginio Rutter almost put Leeds in front on 42 minutes, only for him to turn Ilia Gruev's corner wide.

Leeds roared out of the blocks at the start of the second half, Rutter hitting the post and Bamford blasting a strike over the bar.

James chipped an effort on to the roof of the net as the home onslaught continued, but Preston gained a foothold thereafter, and frustrated Leeds for much of the second half.

Cornell saved a deflected strike from Piroe with two minutes to go, but the outcome was very different when the pair came face to face again in injury-time, as Leeds snatched a vital three points at the death.