Preston North End 2 The Whites 4

Last updated : 07 November 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Healy grabbed the headlines on his quick return to his old club and a late booking for time-wasting with two goals. The Whites went in 3-0 up at half time with former Deepdale favourite Healy scoring a brace of goals and virtually sealing the points.

Yorkshire born Richard Cresswell left another former Preston player, Sean Gregan, in agony on the floor after a early challenge and was booked.

Leeds went ahead after 13 minutes when a Jermaine Wright corner floated over everybody to Brian Deane at the far post and the veteran striker's header went into the top corner of the net as he climbed above Claude Davis.

Healy made it two when his 10-yard shot went into the bottom right-hand corner of the net after Preston skipper Chris Lucketti failed to clear after blocking a Wright shot and the ball rebounded to the Northern Ireland international who soundly beat Gavin Ward.

Wright then had another shot saved by Ward who pushed the ball for a corner from which Clarke Carlisle had a header saved.

Neil Sullivan got away with a howler in the 32nd minute when his attempted clearance hit Preston striker Andy Smith in the middle of his back and the rebound went wide of the near post.

Then man of the match Healy made it 3-0 just before half time when the impressive Wright hit a superb 45-yard pass to put him in and he beat Lucketti and Davis before shooting under Ward.

Cresswell pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute for Preston with a right-foot shot into the bottom corner following an Eddie Lewis assist.

Davis went down in the Leeds box on the hour, only to collect a booking from referee Clive Penton for diving.

Preston pushed forward looking to get back in the match and Paul McKenna had a shot straight at Sullivan.

Minutes later Lewis again tested the United keeper but the visitors almost settled the match when Deane brought a wonderful save from Ward with a powerful header.

Leeds did make if 4-1 after 72 minutes when John Oster's cross was headed down by Deane at the far post giving teenager Simon Walton an easy tap in.

Preston refused to give in and pulled a consolation second goal back seven minutes from time when Dickson Etuhu's cross was steered in by Cresswell.