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FANS were left stunned after Bristol City scored an outrageously controversial goal against Preston North End.

Robins star Yu Hirakawa seemed to PUNCH the ball through goalkeeper Freddie Woodman's gloves, just as he was about to catch it.

Yu Hirakawa handled the ball against Preston North End
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Yu Hirakawa handled the ball against Preston North EndCredit: X
The Japanese attacker was able to knock the ball past Freddie Woodman and score
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The Japanese attacker was able to knock the ball past Freddie Woodman and scoreCredit: X
He showed no sign of shame in his celebration
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He showed no sign of shame in his celebrationCredit: Rex

The Japanese attacker was able to run onto the ball and walk it into the net as Preston's keeper watched on stunned.

The moment was caught on video and shared to social media leaving fans amazed it was not ruled out.

One posted: "Bristol City just scored this goal vs Preston... Unbelievable s***housery."

Another wrote: "That’s one of the worst handballs to stand of all time."

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While a third quipped: "Maradona would be proud."

One livid fan wrote: "S***housery or straight up cheating?"

While another, clearly on the wind-up added: "Perfectly decent goal - utter work nonsense to say otherwise."

Preston did equalise in the 48th minute to thanks to a goal from Sam Greenwood.

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However, it was Bristol City who would claim all three points at full-time.

Nahki Wells reinstalled the visitor's lead just three minutes after the Hosts' goal.

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Paul Heckingbottom slammed the decision after the match
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Paul Heckingbottom slammed the decision after the matchCredit: Getty

Max Bird then made sure of the result with a goal in the 81st minute.

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom slammed the decision not to rule out Hirakawa's goal as "diabolical".

He said: "Yeah, listen, we will get another apology this week. We had two apologies for two bad decisions at Millwall.

"We had an apology for a decision at Burnley and we will get another one for that, I am sure.

"And, they will get more games to go and referee.

"There is nothing we can do about it. It’s diabolical, unacceptable and we keep getting the wrong end of them. Hopefully, it evens itself out.

"One of them is saying they have seen something, that they have obviously not seen because it didn’t happen.

There is nothing we can do about it. It’s diabolical, unacceptable and we keep getting the wrong end of them. Hopefully, it evens itself out.

Paul Heckingbottom

"So, yeah, miles off it. We have had four now in the last seven games or whatever it was, from the Millwall game. But, it’s part of the game and we have to accept it.

"We have been fortunate enough to, although it has cost us points, ride through those.

"We’ve been able to get back in games and get our heads above water. Today, it has affected us."

Bristol manager Liam Manning insisted his side "deserved the win" after the match.

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He said: "I am super proud of the players. It wasn’t pretty at times but I can’t take anything away from the lads.

"The way we defended the box, the togetherness and the spirit after the challenge of going 1-1, to then respond as we did with two outstanding moments of quality – we deserved the win."

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