Preston comeback brings more trouble for Sheffield United
Sheffield United let a two-goal lead slip as it lost 3-2 at Preston North End in the EFL Championship, ending a run of two straight wins with defeat at Deepdale.
Chris Wilder's visitors resisted a fast start from Preston to go ahead after 10 minutes somewhat against the run of play, Andre Brooks sliding home after being put through one-on-one with home goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.
Callum O'Hare then displayed quick feet inside the box to double the Blades' lead six minutes later, jinking through the defence to fire home with his weaker left foot for a 2-0 lead.
But in stoppage-time at the end of the first half, the hosts pulled a goal back when Lewis Dobbin sent a curling shot from the edge of the box just inside Michael Cooper's left-hand post, which kissed the woodwork on its way into the back of the net.
That was a sign of things to come because barely a minute into the second period, Preston was level after Japhet Tanganga inadvertently found the back of his own net via his knee when trying to clear a ball into the box.
Before the hour mark had even been reached, the hosts were ahead for the first time in the match, Daniel Jebbison rising unmarked in the box to power home a header from Andrija Vukcevic's cross and complete the comeback.
Preston might have made it four late in the game when a breakaway saw Stefan Thordarson rush down the left and square the ball perfectly for Michael Smith, but the substitute inexplicably diverted the ball wide of the goal when scoring looked to be the much easier option.
Sheffield United might also have pinched a point late in the game on a couple of occasions, but it wasn't be, leaving it stuck in 21st place on the table with only nine points from 12 matches.
Preston, meanwhile, continued its solid start to the season, earning its fifth win from 12 matches and moving into fifth place with 19 points.
"It's a really good win, the main thing for us is we kept our head. We started brilliantly then we had a 10 or 15 minute spell when we totally went off the rails," Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said.
"We're really disappointed with the goals we've given away but really proud of the players once again.
"It's just ironic, that's probably our worst performance of the [past] three we've had and it's the one game we've won."
For Blades boss Wilder, his frustration was palpable.
"How we've not walked away with three points is unbelievable, but we only have ourselves to blame," he lamented.
"The game plan in terms of setting it up worked in our favour – we set traps, we pounced, we countered and looked a really good side, but we have to put teams to bed.
"Then we have to realise, coming up to half-time, that there's game management.
"It's a team that's learning. Their boys sprinted down the tunnel, we conceded a free-kick straight after half-time to allow them to put the ball in our box, the boy wins a header and it comes off Japh [Tanganga] and all of a sudden it's game on at two each.
"We're unfortunate with the third goal as Mark McGuinness gets a whack and is desperately trying to get back into the middle of the goal."
