Leeds United 2-1 Preston: FLW report as Whites capitalise on Sheffield United defeat at Plymouth | OneFootball

Report, ratings, Daniel Farke & Paul Heckingbottom reaction, plus more from Elland Road as Leeds United host Preston North End.

Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle pushed Leeds United a step closer to promotion with a 2-1 win over Preston North End. Coupled with more dropped points at Sheffield United, Leeds could be just a couple of results away from securing a place back in the Premier League.

Leeds led inside four minutes when Solomon curled beautifully into the far corner, but Kaine Keslier-Hayden responded instantly.

Bogle turned the tide back in Leeds' favour during a chaotic opening 15 minutes, with Daniel Farke's side hanging on after Joel Piroe missed a flurry of chances to take the game away from Preston.

Sheffield United's 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle leaves Leeds and Burnley five points clear of third with four games to play.

Leeds United 2-1 Preston North End

Solomon and Bogle take Leeds past Preston

It was an electric start in the Elland Road sunshine as both sides scored with their first attempts on goal.

Manor Solomon was found after some patient Leeds build-up, before the Spurs loanee cut inside onto his right-foot, launching a curling shot beyond David Cornell.

However, before the Elland Road crowd could take their seats properly, Kaine Kesler-Hayden was advancing down the right in too much space, allowed to cut onto his left-foot and smash a shot beyond Karl Darlow.

Leeds came back, though, with Jayden Bogle pulling a shot wide before putting the home side back ahead.

Solomon's wing-play was excellent, working a yard to cross with his left-foot, and his delivery was too good for the Preston defenders as Bogle converted from close-range.

Frustratingly for Daniel Farke, Leeds couldn't make their dominance later in the half count again. Joel Piroe couldn't convert from three good chances, and Brenden Aaronson forced a save from Cornell before a weak effort on the rebound.

A clever corner routine from Preston almost made Leeds pay straight after half-time, but Darlow was equal to Ben Whiteman's shot.

Piroe fired off-target once more and then turned a Solomon pullback onto the crossbar. Gnonto then wasted an equally good chance, blazing over from an Aaronson cross.

Another Piroe missed chance followed and Joe Rodon failed to turn a Solomon corner in the right direction with the goal gaping.

Tension and frustration within the crowd was brewing with Piroe heading towards the final 10 minutes, as Leeds' top scorer pulled another shot off-target.

Elland Road, though, was just about as loud as it's been this season in the closing stages as news filtered in of the Blades' defeat that leaves Leeds well in control of their fate in the promotion race.

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Player Ratings

Leeds United

Karl Darlow - 7

Jayden Bogle - 8

Joe Rodon - 7

Ethan Ampadu - 7

Junior Firpo - 6

Ao Tanaka - 7

Ilia Gruev - 7

Willy Gnonto - 6 (Isaac Schmidt - 5)

Brenden Aaronson - 5 (Patrick Bamford - 5)

Manor Solomon - 8 (Sam Byram - n/a)

Joel Piroe - 6

Subs (not used)

Illan Meslier

Largie Ramazani

Mateo Joseph

Josuha Guilavogui

James Debayo

Max Wober

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Preston North End

David Cornell - 6

Kaine Kesler-Hayden - 7

Jordan Storey - 5 (Ryan Porteous - 6)

Lewis Gibson - 6

Andrew Hughes - 5 (Liam Lindsay - n/a)

Jayden Meghoma - 6 (Will Keane - 5)

Ben Whiteman - 6

Robbie Brady - 6 (Emil Riis - 5)

Stefan Teitur Thordarson - 6 (Theo Carroll - n/a)

Mads Frøkjær-Jensen - 5

Milutin Osmajic - 5

Subs (not used)

Li-Bau Stowell

Ched Evans

Patrick Bauer

Theo Mawene

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Championship table

Leeds go top with five-point lead over Sheffield United

Preston in mid-table with a good cushion

Daniel Farke reaction

Farke labels the three points "priceless"

On the win: "It feels good after an exhausting week with three difficult games, two difficult away games and a complicated game today against Preston. Priceless three points.

"Really good performance and could have made our life easier by scoring one of the other chances. It must be one of our highest xGs for us all season. We should have scored six or seven today.

"Nevertheless, a priceless three points, and it feels good."

On whether he was aware of what was happening at Plymouth: "A little bit because of the reaction of the supporters. We didn't know the scoreline but were aware it could be an important step. It led to a situation where we were all a bit more on it and everyone could sense in the stadium we needed to win this three points.

"We also had to stay cool, not forget what we had to do against the ball and only focus on what happened on other pitches. It was important we stayed focused on the here and now, I like this balance. The fire was burning. Fire in the heart, cool in the head. It's a good balance."

Paul Heckingbottom reaction

Heckingbottom admits Leeds created the better chances

Thoughts on the result: "It was a tough game. We knew it was going to be tough. Really disappointed with the two goals we conceded. They were poor on our part. But if you look at the whole game, Leeds had the chances (to win).

"I was pleased with the response and enjoyed the second half, which was end-to-end. But Leeds created the better chances.

"To win when you come here, you've got to defend as well as you possibly can and be clinical when you get the moments."

What pleased Heckingbottom: "How brave we were. We tried to pass the ball and take the game to them. Really pleased with that, but we couldn't create what they did."