In the end Leeds thoroughly deserved their 2-1 win over Preston, although they could have easily won by a bigger margin.

Making just the one change from the morale boosting win over Middlesbrough midweek, Willie Gnonto took the place of hamstring victim Daniel James. Unbelievably Karl Darlow in goal made his home league debut deep into his second season with the club.

It took Leeds just four minutes to open the scoring in the Elland Road sunshine. Manor Solomon crashed home a rasping drive from the left giving PNE keeper David Cornell no chance whatsoever.

But the visitors who are the divisional draw specialists were level just two minutes later. Leeds seemed to back off as Kaine Kessler-Haydn stormed down the right, he easily turned Junior Firpo and finished past Darlow.

It drew an instant response from players and fans alike. Jaydyn Bogle went close with a left foot shot, Joe Rodon then wasn't that far away from converting a cross from Solomon but on 13 minutes Bogle, my man of the match tapped home Solomons cross.

Leeds pretty much bossed the rest of the half and but misses from Gnonto, Joel Piroe, Rodon and Aaronsen prevented us from going in at half time with a more superior goal advantage.

I thought Paul Heckingbottom's side had more possession after half time, without troubling us too much. Darlow overall looked very composed, claiming corners and high balls rather than flapping at them. Still the chances came for us, in particular Piroe, one of his efforts hit the bar and sadly it just wasn't going to be one of his days.

There was a slightly nervy moment on 72 minutes when referee John Busby yellow carded Darlow for handling outside his area, but Benjamin Whitehead's resulting free kick slammed into the wall.

Personally I would have preferred Farke to make the switch earlier than the 80th minute to bring on Bamford. Clearly Piroe was minus his shooting boots and Farke kind of spared his embarrassment by taking off Aaronsen for Bamford and dropping Piroe into the 10 role. Issac Schmidt was the other sub at that time, replacing Gnonto who'd had a quiet game. Largie Ramazani didn't even get on when Farke replaced Solomon using Sam Byram as a late sub instead.

Leeds just ran down the remaining minutes plus the six Busby added for mainly a succession of PNE injuries. In the 88th minute a huge buzz rippled around the stadium as news filtered through of Sheffield United squandering their lead at Plymouth. I'm unsure how this came about? Good old transistor radio I assume as I can never get a mobile signal inside the ground.

We comfortably held on though and the celebrations were loud. Okay we should have beaten awkward opponents by more goals but we are top of the league on goal difference, our five point cushion over Sheffield United in 3rd is restored once again, theres 12 to play for and they've got to play boring Burnley on Easter Monday.

And we've won a Saturday lunchtime kick off for the first time since Derby on December 7th!

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls