Preston Captain Paul Gallagher Sent Off for Hilarious Handball as Newcastle Seal Promotion

​Preston North End midfielder and captain Paul Gallagher had a moment of madness against Newcastle on Monday night. 

As can be seen on ​GiveMeSport, the Scotsman's temporary confusion over his position meant he was given his marching orders and Newcastle were awarded a penalty, after Gallagher produced a save Claudio Bravo could only dream of. 

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Paul Gallagher of Preston handles the ball on the line and is sent off during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Preston North End at St James' Park on April 24, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Stu Forster/GettyImages

The subsequent penalty was taken and scored by Matt Ritchie, giving Newcastle their third goal of the evening and securing promotion back to the Premier League for Rafa Benitez at the very first time of asking, as the Magpies ran out 4-1 winners. 

Newcastle still have an outside chance at securing the title, although it would require leaders Brighton & Hove Albion to collapse in the final two matches, as they sit four points adrift of the top with two game to go. 

​​However, much of the post match conversation has been centred around Gallagher's attempted heroics in goal. As usual, Twitter's reaction to the handball did not disappoint...

Manchester City are likely to sign a new goalkeeper this summer after Claudio Bravo's troubles, and it would seem as though fans have an idea who Pep Guardiola should consider, especially as the Spaniard likes a keeper that is good with his feet. 

As ridiculous as Gallagher's handball was, amazingly he is not the only player to have tried something so blatant.

Uruguay's striker Luis Suarez (L) stops the ball with the hand leading to a red card and a penalty for Ghana during the extra-time of 2010 World Cup quarter-final match Uruguay vs. Ghana on July 2, 2010 at AFP Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/GettyImages

Preston's captain may be in an exclusive club now, but he has certainly got some good company there in Luis Suarez, so long as the Barca man doesn't get too peckish.