ENGLAND under-21 star Thierry Small scored a nightmare own goal to cost Preston a win after scuffing a clearance into his net.
Paul Heckingbottom‘s side were 1-0 up against QPR after Brad Potts’ opener just after half time.
Preston looked to be closing in on a precious three points until Small’s shocking error.
Former Chelsea star Harvey Vale was played through before hitting a blind ball across the face of goal.
His cross didn’t reach any of his team-mates and wasn’t in danger of causing Preston many problems.
But as Small attempted to boot the ball away from his goal, he ended up slicing his clearance and sent it straight into the back of his own net.
Small, 21, had only been on the pitch for about 15 minutes before his massive blunder.
The Sky Sports commentator on duty was stunned by the calamitous mistake as he described the moment.
He said: “Thierry Small hasn’t been on the pitch long, tries to get rid of it… I think it hits his shin.
“I can’t explain it. Hopefully one of you in the studio can.
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“I don’t know what happens but it ends up in the back of his own net. Friends family and Thierry Small will not want to watch that one back again.”
Small was left totally dejected after his own goal as he stood with his hands on his knees processing what had happened.
Fans teased the defender over his “comedy gold” moment as one joked the strike was an “absolute belter”.
Another said: “You don’t save those.”
A third added: “How is that even possible?”
And a fourth wrote: “Goal of the season contender.”
The left-back, who started his career with Everton, has picked up two caps for the England Under-21s.
Small left the Toffees in 2021 after turning down their offer of a new contract and joined Southampton.
After being loaned out to Port Vale and St Mirren, he ended up moving to Charlton in 2024.
He would stay with the Addicks for just one season before joining Preston on a free transfer.
