Jayden Bogle's goal for Leeds was his sixth of the season
Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table with a deserved victory over mid-table Preston to move closer to a return to the Premier League.
Sheffield United's third successive defeat - at lowly Plymouth - means the Whites are now five points clear of the third-placed Blades with four games to play.
Daniel Farke's men took the lead after four minutes through Manor Solomon's super curled strike from 20 yards but the visitors equalised 107 seconds later when right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden cut in on to his left foot and thumped home an emphatic finish.
Parity was short-lived, though, as Leeds went back in front after 13 minutes through Jayden Bogle's close-range finish from Solomon's fine cross from the left.
The promotion-chasing hosts totally dominated thereafter and should have wrapped up the win when striker Joel Piroe smashed a close range shot against the crossbar.
Preston never looked like getting a second equaliser and they have now won just one of their past 11 league matches as their season peters out.
Leeds' vastly superior goal difference means seven points from their remaining four games will now be enough to guarantee promotion.
Burnley had knocked Leeds down to second with a 2-1 win over Norwich on Friday but the Whites made the perfect start on Saturday to reclaim top spot.
Farke's side scored inside the first five minutes for the seventh time this season - and second time this week after Daniel James' goal at Middlesbrough on Tuesday - when Tottenham loanee Solomon curled home a sumptuous effort.
However, a goal from another Premier League loanee quickly silenced the vast majority of Elland Road, as Aston Villa's Kesler-Hayden scored his second goal in three matches.
Leeds have now won 16 of their 21 home games, though, and once Bogle got in between two Preston defenders to put them back in front they had more than enough to win the match.
Top scorer Piroe, now without a goal in eight games, should have made it 3-1 and Joe Rodon also missed a chance from close range from a Solomon corner.
The Whites visit struggling Oxford on Friday evening, while Paul Heckingbottom's side host Queens Park Rangers earlier that same day in pursuit of just a second league win since 11 February.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It feels pretty good after an exhausting week with three difficult games. It was a priceless three points for us.
"It was a really good performance and we could have made life easier by taking a few of our chances, it must have been one of our highest expected goals of the season. We should have scored six or seven.
"If you don't score the third goal and miss this crazy amount of chances then you always need to stay switched on because Preston played with freedom. It was crucial that we returned to our best behaviour against the ball.
"I didn't know the scoreline at Plymouth but you sense the reaction of the ers. I wanted to make sure that we stayed focused and not thinking about what happened on other pitches.
"I like the balance because we played with fire in the heart but cool in the head."
Farke: 'Priceless three points'
Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I'm really disappointed with the two goals we conceded, I thought they were poor on our part.
"We were brave with how we ed the ball and tried to take the game to them, I was really pleased with that.
"We knew if we could keep one goal in it then we'd get opportunities but they defended their box well and we couldn't open them up.
"Overall I'm delighted with the effort and commitment of the players but Leeds had the better chances."
