Thnaks to Michalik playing out of sink with the rest of the Leeds defence Preston were always in with a chance with Ormerod being played onside to slot home early on.
Leeds came back into the game well huffing and puffing without forcing Lonergan into any testing saves. Heath had a shot blocked by Sedgewick but St Ledger and Chilvers coped with the threat.
Ormeord had another shot saved as the Leeds back lane looked woeful but missed chances were to cost Preston dear.
Preston started the secon dhalf positively but faile to convert any pressure before Pavel Pergl playing at left back for the first time in his career had a nightmare. The fact that Davidson went off injured probably had an impact on the side but as a ball came across from the left Pergl left Blake unmarked at the far post as he studded the ball into the ground past the outstretched hand of Lonergan.
Simpson made changes playing four up front gyemang on for the injured Davidson and Ricketts for Songo'o. The linesman failed to help Preston three times declaring Nugent offside when he was clear through - television replays suggesting he was clearly onside. The one time he did get through he fluffed his shot.
Preston piled forward with Ricketts missing a gilt edged chance free six yards out but blasting over. It was never going to be Preston's night as a last minute ball came across the box. Pergl again hesitated got a touch on it only flicking onto Healy's head and over Lonergan.
Preston were the most dangerous side thanks to the woeful Leeds defence but inept finishing and poor defending cost Preston three points and depending on how results go I would suggest the chance of automatic promotion is probbaly now out of reach.
With four away games to go at much better sides than Leeds I fear that this maybe a turbulent and troubled end to the season. Th eonly positive out of th enight was that Nugent did not pick up a booking and is free to play the rest of the season.