Stephen Elliott was a happy man after joining a growing band of goalscorers at Deepdale this season - we're already up to seven in just two matches - after North End notched up their record League Cup victory against a gallant Morecambe side.

The man nicknamed 'Sleeves' has had a difficult summer after injuries halted his progress, but he was happy to be part of the side that eventually recorded a comprehensive 5-1 victory after being threatened with falling behind on the half hour as Mark Duffy stepped up for a visiting penalty that was saved by Andy Lonergan.

"It's a pleasing result," Elliott told pne.com. "Obviously it was an awkward game to play in - we didn't want to lose to Morecambe, a League Two side, with everybody here expecting us to win, so we knew we had to go out there and do a professional job. You have to prepare professionally like you would with any other game to try and get the right result

"They set out their stall to be quite tight and see where it took them, and having got a penalty, if that had gone in it could have been a very different game. Thankfully Lonners made a great save and the two goals we then got before the break really settled us into the game. It could have been more in the end if we'd taken a few more half chances, but we've done enough thankfully, and we're through to the next round.

"We're in the hat and it's just a case of wait and see what type of draw we get - I can't really say there's any particular tie I want. We've just got to try and keep going, and if it means we're going on a cup run, so be it."

The man who came into the side as one of seven changes was pleased that a maiden goal for 2009/10 has helped to add to his reputation when the manager comes to select his side for the trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, but knows that a strike tonight doesn't exactly guarantee him a place, adding:

"It's nice to get a goal to get me off the mark and to be playing games as well after missing a fair bit of pre-season. It's nice to be getting the nod and getting on the scoresheet like the other strikers have done - that'll be good for everyone's confidence.

"The gaffer has said to us that he's happy with whichever side he puts out from this squad and I think the lads that played tonight have been able to put a lot in his mind with that performance - everyone that didn't play at the weekend has come in and done really well.

"That's good for the team and good for the squad. All the lads are tight together and a close knit bunch, and I think whoever goes out there and plays on Saturday, the rest of the lads will be behind them 100 per cent."

Part of the reason the forward's chance came was due to others being on international duty, but Elliott isn't looking too far ahead, even though team mates Sean St. Ledger and Eddie Nolan have shown that North Enders are very much in with a chance of Republic of Ireland selection.

"That would be nice," he smiles, "But I think I've got to be doing the job here first before I can start thinking about that again. If international football comes my way again, then so be it.

"I feel ok, even though I missed a lot of the games in pre-season. I felt a bit tired towards the end, but now that I've got my first 90 minutes under my belt, it felt good to get through the game."