Leeds cruise past Preston to stay top

Soccer Football - Championship - Leeds United v Preston North End - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - September 18, 2018 Leeds United's Ezgjan Alioski scores a goal which is subsequently disallowed for offside Action Images/Jason Cairnduff

LONDON (Reuters) - Leeds United opened a three-point lead at the top of the English Championship with a 3-0 win over Preston North End on Tuesday.

Second-placed Brentford were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town while West Bromwich Albion are up to third after a 4-2 victory over fellow high flyers Bristol City.

Soccer Football - Championship - Leeds United v Preston North End - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - September 18, 2018 Leeds United's Tyler Roberts scores their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff

Leeds went ahead through centre half Liam Cooper's first-half header before Tyler Roberts struck twice late on against struggling Preston.

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds side have 18 points from eight games with Brentford on 15 after Neal Maupay's header was cancelled out by Kayden Jackson, who earned bottom club Ipswich their fourth point of the season.

West Brom's Jay Rodriguez was on target twice, including an early penalty, in an entertaining Hawthorns clash with Bristol City as the hosts moved on to 14 points.

Soccer Football - Championship - Leeds United v Preston North End - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - September 18, 2018 Leeds United's Tyler Roberts scores their third goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff

Stoke City edged Swansea City 1-0 in a mid-table clash of two sides relegated from the Premier League last season.

Fourth-placed Middlesbrough can close the gap at the top to one point with a home win over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Soccer Football - Championship - Leeds United v Preston North End - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - September 18, 2018 Leeds United's Tyler Roberts celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Jason Cairnduff

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)