A Wayne Henderson calamity with six minutes to go put Morecambe into the next round and left PNE on the Carling Cup first round scrapheap for the second time in consecutive seasons.

The North End stopper dropped a routine cross from Adam Yates straight at the feet of David Artell, who duly slotted into the unguarded net to send the traveling support into raptures.

It was a disappointing night for Preston, who despite having the majority of possession never got themselves into a position of domination.

Having pulled the game back level with 18 minutes to go, North End shot themselves in the foot and paid the penalty for an average performance.

Morecambe took the lead after five minutes with a superb finish from Captain Jim Bentley. Craig Stanley whipped across a free kick from the right, where the centre-back lashed in a right footed volley that flew past the left hand of Wayne Henderson.

Preston rarely created any opportunities to note in the first period to with Mellor coming closest. His placed header only minutes after going behind had supporters out of their seats but his delicate touch didn't have the power to beat Lewis in goal.

Midfield playmaker Stanley had a speculative 30-yard effort saved by Henderson and he orchestrated a nice intricate move on 20 minutes where the overlapping Yates had a cross turned away by Mawene.

By far PNE's most energetic player, Kevin Nicholls, continued to work hard in midfield picking the ball from deep and whilst he sought out the ball over the top, Bentley and Artell nullified the threat of Ormerod and Mellor.

During the first half the two supporters could not have been more opposite. Whilst a select few North End's fans voiced their concerns with a series of jeers, Morecambe's 2,000 strong support continued to bellow out some of the more traditional chants which they have adopted, including that of 'ole'.

A sombre moment just before the break saw Fraser MacLachlan stretchered off before Darren Carter placed a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Arguably the most intriguing incident of the match came when an accidental collision between Sammy McIlroy and Kevin Nicholls resulted in a bit of argy-bargy on the touchline.

Moments after half time a crunching Billy Jones tackle saw him win the ball on the edge of the Morecambe area but his resulting cross had too much venom to find any of the North End forwards preying in the six yard box.

Danny Pugh blazed wide and Neil Mellor had an effort blocked but the increasing pressure gave supporters in the Alan Kelly Stand reason to believe a goal was coming.

The double introduction of Sedgwick and Hawley spiced the game up a little. No sooner had the former Carlisle forward come on, he was involved in the action, twisting and turning on the edge of the box looking for that little bit of space to create an opening.

Eventually PNE drew level on 73 minutes. A superb run from Hawley saw him latch on to a Chris Sedgwick slide rule pass. Taking the ball in his stride he drilled a cross from the right for the on-rushing Danny Pugh to bury with his head past Joe Lewis.

However, they were nearly caught out by a sucker punch straight from the kick-off when having pushed out 50 yards, Jamie Burns found himself in space on the wide left. Mawene recovered well forcing the Morecambe substitute to drill his effort wide.

But, it was Henderson's error that made all the difference as Morecambe made their way back up the M6 with their name in the hat for the next round.

PNE: Henderson, Jones, St. Ledger, Mawene, Hill, Pugh, Carter (Sedgwick 67), Nicholls, Whaley (Carroll 86), Mellor (Hawley 67), Ormerod. (Subs: Lonergan, Neal)

Morecambe: Lewis, Yates, Artell, Bentley, Stanley, Twiss (Curtis 46), Baker, Thompson (Hunter 78), Sorvel, MacLachlan (Burns 42), Adams (Subs not used: Drench, Howard,)

Bookings: St. Ledger, Carroll

Attendance: 7,703