Former Preston man keeps Leeds hopes alive

FORMER Preston winger Eddie Lewis struck a superb free-kick to rescue Leeds from defeat and leave the Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final delicately poised.

David Nugent’s brilliant individual strike, three minutes after the restart, put Billy Davies’ in-form side on course for a slender victory at Elland Road.

But USA winger Lewis, a free transfer signing from Preston last summer, equalised with 15 minutes remaining to leave Monday’s decisive second leg at Deepdale on a knife-edge.

Significantly, the goalscoring return of England Under-21 striker Nugent should serve as huge encouragement to injured Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.

Nugent, who turned 21 on Tuesday, was making his first start since breaking a metatarsal bone against Ipswich on March 14 in which he scored twice in a 3-1 win.

However, he took just under seven weeks to return to fitness, and, if fellow Scouser Rooney recovers from his metatarsal injury at the same speed, he should be back in time to play Sweden in the final Group B game on June 20.

Nugent could yet emerge as the man who fires Preston back into the top flight after a painful 45-year absence.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell, meanwhile, made seven changes from the side which lost 2-0 at Deepdale on the final day of the season.

Along with Lewis, David Healy and Sean Gregan also lined up against their erstwhile employers, while another former Deepdale favourite, Richard Cresswell, was a shock inclusion among the home substitutes.

Cresswell had been sidelined since February with damaged knee ligaments and his return gave the tie extra spice in front of over 35,000 supporters.

The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes after traffic congestion on the M62 delayed the arrival of some 4,900 Preston fans.

Blackwell had built the game up by describing it as the club’s most significant since the 2001 Champions League semi-final against Valencia.

And the atmosphere was certainly reminiscent of that brief but brilliant era as Leeds, inspired by a raucous crowd, forced a succession of early corners.

Three minutes into the second half, Nugent collected possession 25 yards from goal and embarked on a delightful weaving run which took him past four Leeds players and slip the ball past Neil Sullivan from 10 yards.

The defending from Leeds was woeful but that should take nothing away from Nugent’s 11th goal of the season. Leeds continued to huff and puff but despite the introduction of former England winger Steve Stone, they posed precious little serious goal threat.

However, after Davis fouled Miller 22 yards from goal with 15 minutes remaining, Lewis stepped up to curl a brilliant left-foot strike past Nash and into the top corner.

Tensions reached boiling point in the closing stages following a clash between Hulse and Davis, but neither side could find a potentially priceless winner.

LEEDS: Sullivan, Kelly, Gregan, Kilgallon, Crainey, Miller, Bakke (Stone 57), Derry (Cresswell 79), Lewis, Healy (Blake 72), Hulse.

PRESTON: Nash, Mears, Davis, Mawene, Alexander, Jarrett, O’Neil (Whaley 64), McKenna, Nugent (Agyemang 64), Dichio, Ormerod (Sedgwick 88).

Ref: P Crossley.