Preston North End 2-1 Leeds United: Illan Meslier sent off before Liam Millar scores winner

Preston match-winner Liam Millar hit his second goal in as many games for Preston

Preston North End finished triumphant over Leeds United in a dramatic but ill-tempered Boxing Day tussle.

Liam Millar struck a magnificent winning goal in the 89th minute - but only after the second-half sending-off of Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.

The key moment of the match came eight minutes into the second half when Meslier was red-carded after being goaded by Preston's players into retaliation.

After eyeballing Ben Whiteman as they went head to head, Meslier was then also shoved by Milutin Osmajic - but, in a fit of pique, the Frenchman responded by shoving the man from Montenegro in the face.

Osmajic, who was booked for his part in the fracas, made the most of it as he dramatically fell to earth clutching his face - but it was inevitable that Meslier would be sent off.

Four minutes later, with Leeds reserve keeper Karl Darlow on for sacrificed outfield player Joel Piroe, North End cashed in on their one-man advantage.

Millar was allowed to cut in and curl in a right-footed cross, headed home by Alan Browne for his fifth goal of the season.

Leeds then levelled on 83 minutes when Ali McCann was adjudged to have brought down a diving Dan James in the penalty area and Leeds captain Pascal Struijk sent home keeper Freddie Woodman the wrong way from the spot.

But Millar went up the other end six minutes later to win it, receiving the ball wide on the left, cutting back inside and then curling a superb right-footed shot beyond Darlow into the top right corner.

Leeds keeper Illan Meslier's red card was the turning point of the game at Deepdale

Preston had lost their past three home league games on Boxing Day - all against Yorkshire opposition: Leeds in 2016, Hull City in 2018 and Huddersfield Town in 2022.

But this time, in front of a season's best crowd of 21,816, Deepdale witnessed an ultimately classic Red Rose victory.

The first half was a forgettable affair of little interest.

North End went close when Millar's inswinging right-footed cross from the left side looked to be landing just right for Browne but he failed to get his head on it.

At the other end, Ethan Ampadu headed just wide from a dangerous free-kick in front of the 6,000 away fans.

But a contest that eventually brought six yellow cards - as well as that red for Meslier - was just about to get spicy.

After the red-card incident and Browne's opener, the North End marksman fluffed a chance to make it two when he smashed over from the edge of the box.

Georginio Rutter went close for Leeds before the controversial penalty that tied proceedings. But it was Ryan Lowe's men who had the final word when Millar followed his goal from the bench in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Swansea by bringing the house down with his stunning winner.

Who's next?

Preston, who won at Deepdale for the first time in four games, are at home again on Friday (19:45 GMT) - to one of manager Lowe's former clubs, struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Daniel Farke's Leeds, who have now won just once in four matches, are also back in action on Friday night (20:15 GMT) away to West Bromwich Albion.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe:

"The lads were excellent, both with and without the ball. They acquitted themselves brilliantly from start to finish.

"Of course, the game changed a bit after the red card but we kept going and we've got a big that win we deserved. We knew that after the red card we'd have to be dogged and resolute.

"We've all been disappointed over recent weeks but the results we've had have definitely not been for the lack of trying.

"I know we might not be blessed with as much quality in our squad as ones like Leeds but every one of my players shows a never-say-die attitude."

Leeds boss Daniel Farke:

"It's disappointing because the second player really has nothing to do with it. He's come in and tried to provoke Illan then he goes and rolls around 10 times.

"Maybe the referee should sense what was really happening there. Maybe a yellow card would have been a fairer outcome.

"Having said that, I can't complain because we've gone and lost to a Preston team who have worked and fought so hard. Millar has been allowed to run 40 yards at us and then he's got himself a dream goal.

"We were a bit lazy in certain moments but sometimes this does happen after we had been praised so much during the week."