Leeds suffered their second home defeat of the season in an unbelievable game at Elland Road.
Leeds came from a goal down to lead 4-1 before finally losing 6-4.
United boss Simon Grayson stuck with the same eleven that beat Sheffield United on Saturday.
Grayson made two changes on the bench with Ramon Nunez having his first involvement in place of Ross McCormack and Adam Clayton replacing the suspended Robert Snodgrass.
Preston took the lead inside five minutes when Treacy caused problems down the left, Higgs only parried his ball into the middle and Parkin was on hand to tap in.
Leeds were back on level terms inside fifteen minutes, McCartney`s ball into the middle found the head of Becchio who made no mistake.
Leeds almost took the lead shortly afterwards when Somma shot wide under pressure. Replays showed that Somma was clearly pushed in the back by the Preston defender and a penalty should have been given.
It soon was 2-1 to Leeds when a defensive mistake allowed Alex Bruce to score his first goal for the club when he headed them into the lead.
The home side were now well on top and Bradley Johnson stung the fingers of Lonergan in the Preston goal.
It was 3-1to Leeds inside 30 minutes, when Davide Somma`s deflected shot beat Lonergan and found its way into the back of the net.
Leeds were dominating but Preston gave them a wake up when Hume found Parkin and his shot just cleared the bar.
With still eight minutes remaining of the half, Somma scored his second goal of the evening when he waltzed into the area from the left hand side before beating Lonergan.
Preston were back in the game within minutes when Parkin was allowed to venture far to close to the Leeds goal before shooting past Higgs.
In a wide-open game, Preston almost scored a third when Higgs had to turn the ball round the post after a shot by Treacy.
Leeds were finding themselves under intense pressure as the game headed towards half time and a series of corner kicks for Preston had the defence at full stretch.
Morgan thought he`d made it 4-3 but Leeds somehow managed to clear his effort off the line.
The half time whistle finally went to end an enthralling 45 minutes of football with Leeds 4-2 in the lead.
The second half showed no signs of being any different to the first and both sides had early chances to add to the scoring.
Sean St Ledger headed over for the visitors whilst Becchio also missed the target with a header after a good ball into the middle by Gradel.
Preston made it 4-3 when Treacy`s shot found it`s way into the far top corner with Somma on the line unable to reach the ball.
Preston won a penalty within minutes when Andy Hughes fouled Coutts in the area.
Callum Davidson made no mistake from the spot drilling the ball straight down the middle with still over 30 minutes remaining.
The goal forced Grayson into his first change of the evening with Neil Kilkenny replacing Lloyd Sam.
Preston were continuing to ask the questions and Keith Treacy was being a constant thorn in the Leeds side, this time his shot forced Higgs into a save.
The visitors took the lead when Jon Parkin completed his hat trick with a volley that gave Higgs no chance.
Leeds tried to get back on level terms straight away but Howson`s shot cleared the bar.
Simon Grayson made a double substitution with time running out, Sanchez Watt and Adam Clayton replacing Luciano Becchio and John Howson.
Davide Somma was close to equalising but his long-range shot just cleared the bar.
Preston wrapped the game up when Ian Hume headed past Higgs to give the score line an un-surreal look.
Leeds almost got straight back into the game but the woodwork came to Preston`s rescue.
Max Gradel was next to go close but Lonergan saved his header and pushed it out for a corner.
Leeds continued to look for a way back into the game and Somma once again went close.
The final whistle went to end an extraordinary night at Elland Road and write a bit of Leeds United history.
It`s the first time that a visiting team as ever scored six goals at Elland Road.
Teams
Leeds
Higgs, Hughes, Bruce, Collins, McCartney, Gradel, Howson (Clayton 74), Johnson, Sam (Kilkenny 60), Somma, Becchio (Watt 74).
Subs not used
Brown, Naylor, Faye, Nunez.
Preston
Lonergan, Morgan, Jones, Davidson, St Ledger, Russell, Treacy (Gray 88) Coutts, Barton, Parkin (Hayes 88), Hume
Subs not used
Mayor, Arestidou, McLaughlin, , Parry, Wright
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