Brian Howard fired a second-half equaliser as Sheff Utd claimed a 1-1 draw at Preston in the first leg of the play-off semi-final.
Visitors hit back after St Ledger opener
Brian Howard fired a second-half equaliser as Sheffield United claimed a 1-1 draw at Preston North End in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.
Former Barnsley midfielder Howard struck less than 20 seconds after half-time to cancel out Sean St Ledger's opener for Preston in an evenly-fought encounter at Deepdale.
The hosts took the lead on 21 minutes when a long free-kick was inadvertently flicked on by the Blades' Nick Montgomery for the unmarked St Ledger to score past the helpless Paddy Kenny.
Jon Parkin almost increased Preston's lead on 33 minutes when he headed against the post, only for the visitors to enjoy a dream start to the second half.
Preston keeper Andy Lonergan appeared to have dealt with the danger, but the ball rolled out to Jamie Ward to play in a cross which Howard volleyed home.
Craig Beattie blazed over after staying on his feet following a tug from Youl Mawene before the substitute, who had a brief spell on loan at Preston last season, shot straight at Lonergan after escaping the offside trap in stoppage-time.
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.
Threatened
United threatened in the fifth minute when Darius Henderson crossed low from the left flank.
The ball reached Ward and he produced a delightful piece of skill to engineer the space to strike a low left-foot shot at Lonergan.
The Preston goalkeeper 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 erupted in the 21st minute when St Ledger grabbed his sixth goal of the season.
The highly-rated centre-back, whose winning goal against QPR booked North End's play-off berth on a dramatic final day of the season, rifled home from close range following a deep free-kick from Billy Jones.
He was stood in an offside position when the ball came to him but it had been headed into his path by Blades midfielder Montgomery so the goal rightly stood.
Yet Blackwell's men fashioned an encouraging response and almost drew level in the 28th minute when Stephen Quinn slipped in behind the Preston defence and forced a fine save from Lonergan at his near post.
Probing
The Blades continued to probe but almost fell further behind in the 35th minute when Parkin headed against a post from Ross Wallace's corner.
However, the equaliser came within seconds of the restart after Lonergan smothered a shot from Henderson.
The ball was swiftly recycled by Ward and his right-wing cross was powerfully dispatched by Howard's fine volley from 10 yards.
United withdrew Henderson due to injury in the 55th minute but replacement Beattie wasted a golden opportunity to make his mark with a dreadful shot over the crossbar.
Three players were booked within the space of 10 second-half minutes as tensions mounted but Preston were grateful to Lonergan again with five minutes remaining when he parried Howard's long piledriver before Lonergan denied Beattie from close range, when a pass to Arturo Lupoli appeared to be the best option.
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