It was a controversial end to the game at the John Smiths Stadium as Huddersfield Town clinched all three points in the dying seconds against Preston North End – and moved coach David Wagner’s side a step closer to a Championship Play-Offs place.

Aaron Mooy saw his added on time penalty saved, but it was Collin Quaner who tapped home the rebound, to score his first league goal for Town.

Town faced a resilient North End side and Aiden McGeady got the away side off to a great start, however a headed goal by Elias Kachunga put Town back level just before half time.

Jack Payne put Town in the lead on the 70th minute, but Jordan Hugill pulled the visitors level just nine minutes later.

Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Jack Payne celebrates his goal with Nahki Wells.
Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Jack Payne celebrates his goal with Nahki Wells.

It was in added on time, when the winner was scored as Town won a penalty - Mooy missed it, but Collin Quaner scored from the keeper's penalty save to grab the winner.

It was an unhappy return to Huddersfield for ex-Town boss Simon Grayson as he brought his high-flying Preston North End side to Yorkshire,looking to keep their own, albeit slim Play-Off chances alive.

Both teams went into the game off the back of a defeat and wanted to get back to winning ways.

Town started the game brightly with a chance in the first few minutes, as Chris Lowe crossed from the left, the ball eventually fell to Kachunga, who volleyed it towards goal, deflecting off a Preston centre back to force the visiting keeper to make a brilliant save.

Town had other close efforts, one being Mooy’s shot just over the bar and it wasn’t until the 12th minute when Preston had their first serious attack, but Lowe made a goal saving tackle to stop Aiden McGeady.

Then, against the run of play, Preston North End opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as the Town defence didn’t close McGeady down, with the Irish international taking full advantage to unleash a shot 10 yards outside the area from the right hand side.

It was a real sucker punch for David Wagner's side, having the majority of possession up until that point.

Buoyed by the goal, Preston started to take control and went close on the 36th minute when Tommy Spurr, now on for the injured Tom Clarke, put a cross in from the left.

The ball fell to Tom Barkhuizen who shot powerfully towards Danny Ward who pulled off a great one handed save to deny the PNE forward.

Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Town's Jonathan Hogg in action.
Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Town's Jonathan Hogg in action.

Town levelled the score on the 43rd minute, as Mooy’s corner was nodded in by Kachunga to score his 13th goal of the season.

After going in at the interval 1-1, the second half was a scrappy affair, with plenty of tackles flying in.

The main chance in the second half didn’t come until the 70th minute, when Town took the lead through a Jack Payne diving header.

A brilliant cross field pass to Tommy Smith who volleyed the ball across goal to leave Payne the opportunity to get on the score sheet.

But there was little time to celebrate as Town conceded a second goal of the afternoon on the 79th minute when Jordan Hugill scored with a header.

And the away side nearly scored a third on the 82nd minute, when a cross came in high from the left hand side and was just headed over.

Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Collin Quaner celebrates scoring his side's third goal.
Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End, 14.04.17: Collin Quaner celebrates scoring his side's third goal.

However, as the game dwindled down to a close, it was Town who stole a third and snatch all three vital points.

Hugill, who had put the visitors level brought down Kachunga in the penalty area and was duly booked, along with keeper Maxwell for delaying the resultant spot kick.

Aaron Mooy stepped up to take it, however a save by the keeper was quickly followed up by Collin Quaner to score his first league goal for Huddersfield.