Leeds recent bad run of form continued as Liam Millar's 89th minute winner gave Preston an unlikely 2-1 win over ten man Leeds. The starting eleven may have been the same, but the performance was a far cry from that who ripped apart Ipswich Town just three days previously. They have struggled against sides defending in numbers this season, though when all said and done, the stats show that the Lilywhites had the lions share of opportunities.

After a drab and uneventful first half, the game burst into life on 53 minutes when Illan Meslier was given a straight red card, after retaliating to a double hand shove by Milutin Osmaji?. The Frenchman used the palm of his hand to push the Preston forward face first out of his vicinity, causing him to spiral into an acrobatic reverse 4 1/2 somersault. Had he performed the feat from the 10m board of a swimming pool, it could have earned him a respectful 7.3 from the judges; but was more than content to see the Leeds shot stopper dismissed from the field of play.

Four minutes later, Preston took the lead. The hosts had got the better of Archie Gray all afternoon, and used the space to deliver a dangerous cross into the heart of the Leeds penalty area, where Browne was on hand to guide the ball past Karl Darlow. In all honesty, the former Newcastle man should have done better. It was reminiscent of his previous performance in the League Cup where he managed to avoid all nine of Salford City's spot kicks.

Leeds regrouped, and with seven minutes on the clock won themselves a penalty; but with Summerville and Piroe already substituted, had to rely on Pascal Struijk to grab his fifth of the season. Even with ten men, the visitors went in search of the three points, but were undone after Preston once again highlighted Leeds inadequacies at right back. Millar danced past Gray before unleashing a thunderous strike into the far corner of Darlow's goal.

The defeat left Farke's men trailing in fourth after Southampton's 5-0 rout of Swansea. They are three points behind the Saints, and eight behind Ipswich Town, after their last gasp equaliser against Leicester City.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
	22	Gray, Archie Midfielder
	14	Rodon, Joe Defender
	21	Struijk, Pascal Defender
	39	Spence, Djed Defender
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
	8	Kamara, Glen Midfielder
	20	James, Daniel Midfielder
	7	Piroe, Joel Forward
	10	Summerville, Crysencio Midfielder
	24	Rutter, Georginio Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	29	Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder
	9	Bamford, Patrick Forward
	44	Gruev, Ilia Midfielder
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper
	49	Joseph, Mateo Forward
	3	Firpo, Junior Defender		Unused Sub
	6	Cooper, Liam Defender		Unused Sub
	12	Anthony, Jaidon Midfielder		Unused Sub
	25	Byram, Sam Defender		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2023/2024
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2023-24
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2023/24