With the home side 4-1 up in the 39th minute and seemingly cruising, North End's chances of claiming a second successive away win seemed bleak.

However, Jon Parkin's wonderful hat-trick, along with goals from Keith Treacy, Callum Davidson and Iain Hume, sealed a remarkable turnaround, much to the delight of their flabbergasted manager.

"I have never been involved in such an amazing game," he said.

"But all credit to my players for their sensational comeback.

"It's brilliant to get six goals, it would have been nice if we had not conceded four. But all credit goes to my players.

"The spirit and character was remarkable, the boys were magnificent and I am incredibly proud of the team."

Parkin took the plaudits after an irresistible performance that saw him net a well-deserved treble.

Ferguson was quick to pay tribute to his 'unplayable' striker, as well as partner in crime Hume.

"Parkin was brilliant," he admitted.

"He was absolutely unplayable and caused all sorts of problems for their defence. He is fantastic technically and he showed that tonight.

"Iain (Hume) was excellent as well, though. He has been a breath of fresh air since coming to the club.

"He had a bad injury when he was at Barnsley, but he has been a breath of fresh air since coming here."

At the break Preston were seemingly dead and buried, despite Parkin making it 4-2 on the stroke of half-time.

However, Ferguson insists he always felt his side had a chance.

"The goal just before half-time was the most important because if we went in at the break 4-1 down it would have been a big ask," he added.

"As a manager you always say if you are only two goals behind, you always have a chance.

"And I was calm at the break because I still felt we had a chance. We always had goals in us."

Meanwhile, Leeds boss Simon Grayson was furious with his players, labelling the result as "embarrassing".

"I am hugely disappointed," he said. "Football never surprises you, you are going well and suddenly it kicks you where it hurts again.

"I still had a go at the players at half-time, because we had given them far too many opportunities.

"When we were 4-1 up, we needed to be more professional but we gave them a chance to get back into the game.

"There were far too many errors - both individually and collectively. We made stupid mistakes and it cost us.

"To lose 6-4 at home is unbelievable really, and embarrassing."