Keith Treacy believes that last night's winner against Bradford City in the second round of the Carling Cup could be the best goal of his career to date.

The Irish winger broke Bradford hearts in the second half of extra time at the Coral Windows Stadium after his thunderous effort flew into the top corner, firing North End into the third round of the competition.

Treacy was hugely influential for the Lilywhites after hitting the crossbar either side of his 109th minute winner and the Irishman was delighted to grab the crucial goal before the contest could reach penalties.

"It was probably the best goal I have scored in my career so far," Treacy exclusively told pne.com after North End's win.

"I had a few chances, the 'keeper made a good save at the back post and made a couple of good saves off of me and I also hit the crossbar.

"For the goal, I actually controlled it then hit it and thought that it would hit the top of the bar and go over, but just to see it dip under just made me feel delighted to get it and get home.

"It was nice to get the win; it turned out to be a decent game. It was a good game to play in so I am sure that it was a good game to watch."

Treacy, who has again recently been called up to the Republic of Ireland, believed that it was a gritty performance by his side to ensure that they will be in the hat for the next draw at lunchtime on Saturday.

The winger believes that Preston had to be on top of their game to prevail against the League Two side that applied a lot of pressure on the Lilywhites towards the end of normal time. Treacy said:

"We were always on top except for in the last sort of five minutes where they got on top of us. Fair play to them, they got the goal but we hung in there and didn't let them get on top. We got to 90 minutes and were able to run all over them again in extra time.

"I thought that they got a bit of momentum, throwing a couple of strikers on and the big lads upfront. The smallest fella on the pitch got the header but we dug in, got through the 90 minutes and did well to get there.

"Obviously we got the win in the end so we have got to start thinking about Sheffield now."

After having to endure 120 minutes, Treacy doesn't believe that there will be any problems going into Saturday's game and believes that the players won't be tired for the trip to Bramall Lane. Speaking about the visit to one of his former Club's, Treacy concluded:

"It is fairly early in the season so I don't think that there will be too many people hanging, there might be one or two who get a bit leggy in the last five minutes but we will dig in and go for the win again.

"I don't feel too bad but I will have a lot of ice bath's tomorrow and start thinking about Sheffield.

"It is always tough going to Bramall Lane, I spent six months there and was happy but I will be trying to put one over on them."