Leeds United secured back-to-back home league wins for the first time in over a year by edging out 10-man Preston North End 1-0 in this afternoon's Championship match at Elland Road.
Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri had to be alert in the early stages to keep Preston at bay and it was the Italian's opposite number who made a rash decision that changed the game.
Sunderland loanee Jordan Pickford rushed out of goal on the half-hour mark and handled the ball outside the area as Chris Wood nodded it past him, leaving referee Gavin Ward with little option but to send off the stopper.
Seventeen-year-old Mark Hudson came on for his Preston debut and the Lilywhites held on through to half time.
Moments into the second half Leeds were in front, though, and it was a Preston player who scored it as Alan Browne headed Stuart Dallas's cross past Hudson into his own goal.
Preston's resolve had been broken, but the Lilywhites refused to fold and had several openings in the second half. They failed take any, though, as Silvestri held firm in the Leeds goal.
Leeds climb up to 13th with a win, only five points behind the playoffs, while Preston, whose four-game unbeaten run comes to an end, are 16th.
Pascal Lemesre
