Liam Lindsay was Preston’s unlikely goalscoring hero as they dramatically secured a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United.
The former Stoke centre-half had only previously netted six league goals in five years with the club, but Preston’s inspirational captain bagged two in just 15 minutes – the first double of his career – to strike a dagger blow into the Blades.
Lindsay rose high to meet Jordan Thompson’s in-swinging left-footed corner and head past helpless keeper Adam Davies in the fifth minute.
And he escaped his markers once more, sprinting to the near post to bullet home Alfie Devine’s corner from the other side in the 20th minute to hand the visitors a 2-0 lead which laid the platform for success.
They were the 30 year-old’s first league goals of the season in the penultimate game as the Lilywhites leapfrogged United, rising from 16th up to 12th in the Championship table.
Blades midfielder Gus Hamer hammered home a 71st-minute penalty after Femi Seriki was tripped by Andrija Vukcevic.
But Lewis Dobbin responded five minutes later after latching on to Devine’s superb defence-splitting pass, racing from halfway to round the beaten Davies.
Former Leeds striker Patrick Bamford reduced the deficit again with his 12th goal of the season in the 82nd minute to set up a frantic finish.
In the reverse fixture in October, United had gone 2-0 ahead inside the opening 20 minutes before capitulating in a 3-2 loss.
It looked like Preston could suffer a similar collapse here but their desperate opponents could not find the equaliser.
Bamford was agonisingly wide with an effort from close range late on before Ki-Jana Hoever somehow put a header over from almost under the bar in the 95th minute.
Hamer, then, saw another shot narrowly miss with the final kick of a thrilling contest.
Instead, former Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom celebrated as he completed a league double over his old employers.
After back-to-back wins over Hull and Watford, Blades hopes of finishing with a flourish were hurt by Wednesday’s 3-1 home loss to Blackburn.
Manager Chris Wilder demanded they sign off the season at Bramall Lane with an improved performance but his side were booed off at half-time before raising their game.
They had a fine chance to halve the deficit at the start of the second period, but an unmarked Tahith Chong, one of their more impressive performers, bizarrely played across the six-yard box to no one when easier to strike for goal.
United were then thankful to Davies for a brilliant save to deny Dobbon after Daniel Jebbison had wriggled free in the box.
Things got heated with the coaching staff exchanging words after United midfielder Oliver Arblaster – making his first start since a 13-month injury lay-off – was caught late by Thompson in the 13th minute.
However, in the end, it was Preston who had the last word.
The managers
Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder:
To follow…
Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom:
To follow…
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
