Both clubs headed into the fixture with an atrocious recent record. Preston had lost their last three in a row and were low on confidence whilst Leeds were in the midst of their own bad run having recently changed managers.
The game was effectively billed as a mid-table end of season encounter with Preston having a long shot at the play offs and Leeds destined to finish another season in the Championship no nearer a return to the top flight.
North End continued their poor form in the first half which was abject compared to the high standards set earlier in the season. Performances were lacking from the majority and Leeds took the initiative.
The visitors took the lead with a raid down the right hand side. Preston's defence simply parted ways allowing for an unchallenged cross to be smashed across the box. Roofe nipped in ahead of his marker and converted past Rudd.
Preston went in at the break facing a potential fourth defeat in a row but somehow came out after the break a totally different and re-energised side.
Within minutes the home side were level. Bodin, who has improved of late, went down the right hand channel and was fouled in the box. A penalty was awarded and Bodin is picking up a good habit in ths regard.
After the recent miss from Browne, Paul Gallagher returned to spot kick duties and duly converted to level the scores. The impetus was now with Preston who seized the moment.
Leeds were under pressure and moments later cleared the ball which went as far as Gallagher. A defender lay on the floor in the box but as no foul was committed the referee did not stop the game and it was unclear as to why the player was down.
The remaining defenders pushed out but the player on the floor was playing everyone offside. Gallagher crossed and there was no defender in sight as Maguire was free to head home being played onside by the inactive defender.
North End felt the momentum swing and managed to add a third late on as Alan Browne headed home to seal all three points for Preston after a much improved second half.
Other results meant Preston sit five points off Millwall with four games to play. Four of the five teams directly above Preston play each other on Saturday which does provide an opportunity to close the gap further although a top six finish is unrealistic.