Blackwell's Tarts Deny Preston Victory

Blackwell's teams haven't changed very much from his Leeds days except that the Blades were probably a touch less more dirty in the tackle than his old Leeds side although they still maintained the habit of going down like a bunch of fairies every time they came into contact with a Preston player.

for all that Preston were stronger in the first half and took the lead thanks to a ball in from outside hte box. St Ledger was in an offside position but the ball came off a United head into his path for St Ledger to slide home from inside the box.

Ward had a couple of chances before the break - Lonergan saving one but it was Parkin for Preston who came closest by heading against the post from a corner.

Preston were then caught sleeping at the start of the second half as within twenty seconds Lonergan was forced into a ave with the second ball landing at the feet ofa free man in the box who slided home.

The away fans who failed to sell out their allocation suddenly awoke and United came into the ascendency with two one on one chances being saved by Lonergan who kept the Whites in the game.

Preston must now do something that they have not done in seven play off attempts and that is win an away leg which will be hard enough as Preston have not won at Sheffield United in my lifetime and beyond.