LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS Prseton NE 1 Sheffield Utd 1: SHEFFIELD UNITED will fancy their chances of reaching Wembley after Brian Howard's strike secured a 1-1 draw at Preston in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
The United midfielder struck in clinical fashion just seconds into the second half to cancel out Sean St Ledger's 21st-minute opener.
Monday's decisive second leg at Bramall Lane will not be for the faint-hearted but Kevin Blackwell's men more than matched their opponents physically and dominated the second period.
Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan made the first of several fine saves and the hosts threatened moments later when Neil Mellor fired a fierce shot goalwards but Howard threw himself in front of the ball to avert the danger.
Deepdale then erupted in the 21st minute when St Ledger grabbed his sixth goal of the season. The centre-back rifled home from close range following a deep free-kick from Billy Jones.
He was in an offside position when the ball came to him but it had been headed into his path by Blades midfielder Nick Montgomery so the goal rightly stood.
However, the equaliser came within seconds of the restart after Lonergan smothered a shot from Darius Henderson. The ball was recycled by Jamie Ward and his cross was dispatched by Howard's fine volley from 10 yards.
PRESTON NE:Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick, McKenna, Carter (Nicholson 70), Wallace, Parkin, Mellor (Brown 77). Subs not used: Neal, Chilvers, Elliott. Booked: Carter.
SHEFFIELD UTD: Kenny, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard, Stephen Quinn, Halford, Henderson (Beattie 54), Ward (Lupoli 74). Subs not used: Bennett, Cotterill, Bromby. Booked: Kilgallon, Montgomery, Lupoli.
Referee: Andre Marriner(W Midlands).
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