Jubilant darts world champion Luke Humphries saw Leeds arrow in on a “season-defining” late, late win against fuming Preston.
Joel Piroe’s controversial 94th minute penalty decided a fractious affair as United crucially kept in touch with the Championship top-two. At half-time, huge Leeds fan Humphries paraded the PDC World Darts championship he won against Luke Littler earlier this month. But after Daniel Farke’s side saw chance after chance go begging, he must have thought they’d missed the bullseye in a bad-tempered game.
However, when Ryan Ledson handled in the box in injury-time, substitute Piroe held his nerve to settle it. Farke, who dedicated the victory to substitute Jaidon Anthony, whose mum had died earlier in the week, said: “These are the best wins of the season. We've had many electrifying home performances with many goals and some games are already done at half-time.
“But to win this type of game when we have problems in the first half and then fight our way into it and get a hard-fought win with a well-deserved winner in the last seconds, these are the best, season-defining moments. And so important for the mood and confidence in the dressing room.
Preston, who had beaten 10-man Leeds on Boxing Day, went ahead via Will Keane’s strike after just 66 SECONDS, denying their hopes of a fourth successive clean sheet. But Dan James quickly levelled with his tenth goal of the season heading home Junior Firpo’s fine cross in the sixth minute. With Storm Isha on its way in it was perhaps no surprise there was so much niggle brewing up.
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Preston, who had few chances, finished with SIX yellow cards in a bid to slow down Leeds’ high-tempo style. And it's easy to see why Farke’s side remain the only EFL club in the country unbeaten at home. Crysencio Summerville was brilliant down the left and they offered so many attacking threats.
Georginio Rutter wasted a free header when he should have scored and also hit a post from close range. Patrick Bamford and James also went close so it looked like dogged Preston might hold on for a draw until the late breakthrough. Leeds defender Joe Rodon challenged Alan Browne and headed into the box where the ball bounced and hit Ledson’s hand.
Luke Humphries and his PDC World Darts Championship trophy on the pitch (PA)It left Preston boss Ryan Lowe irate. He insisted: “We’ve been done by a penalty decision. Gutted is an understatement. To come to Elland Road and go toe-to-toe with Leeds, not many people would expect us to do that. But that decision baffled me. To be done by a penalty decision where it hit the body first? It was tough to take.
“And there’s a potential foul before it. It shouldn’t have been given. I could go on all day about decisions but I’m proud of my players’ efforts.”
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