Preston's reserves suffered their first defeat of their totesport.com League Cup campaign as they were disappointingly beaten by Oldham's second string at Stalybridge.

North End's youngsters rarely threatened their hosts goal and after a deadlocked opening 45 minutes they fell to goals from Hungarian defender Ferenc Fodor and a brace from striker Ryan Brooke.

David Unsworth's side now look forward to a trip to Morecambe next Monday night in what will be the reserves' last match of 2009.

North End's first chance came after 12 minutes. A flowing midfield move up field saw the ball moved out wide to McLaughlin who delivered a ball across the face of the 18-yard box. Phil Quirk arrived late and hit a volley from the edge of the box that had the power but one which was always spinning wide.

Dominic Comrie had to be alert in the 32nd minute when Djeny Bembo-Leta turned 30 yards out and tried a speculative effort which was driven straight at goal. Comrie did well to get behind the ball early and comfortably save what was a really powerful strike.

Comrie pulled off another fine save in the 37th minute when Oldham whipped a corner in from the right and Ryan Brooke powered a header down towards the goal-line. Comrie was down quickly to scoop the ball off the line and over the crossbar.

The Preston keeper was the busier as the game approached the break and he had to react quickly as a long range shot deflected kindly into the path of Oldham midfielder Kieran Lee. Comrie was brave to challenge for a 50-50 ball and deny the home team the opener.

The second half began in explosive fashion when the home team took the lead. Hungarian centre-half Ferenc Fodor smashed a shot towards goal which bounced straight back to him and the defender's second effort flew through a crowd of players and had too much zing for Comrie to handle.

The Lilywhites almost grabbed an immediate reply. Danny Mayor crafting a fine ball into the path of Conor McLaughlin on the right flank and the Irishman whipped in an almost perfect delivery across the six-yard box. Neil Dougan was first to the ball but he could not get enough purchase on the ball to steer it into the net.

Tom Smyth was denied in the 57th munute when his strong header was blocked as it arrowed towards goal from a perfectly weighted Dougan corner.

Oldham made it 2-0 in the 59th minute. A mazy run by Danny Gardner took him towards the penalty spot and he had only Comrie to beat, a fine save from Comrie but the ball was cleared straight into the path of Ryan Brooke who doubled the home side's advantage.

Comrie was forced into a good save at his near post in the 68th minute when Nick Blackman cut in from the left channel and forced a strike at goal from a tight angle. Comrie was more than equal to the effort though and managed to the turn the ball away for a corner.

Another fine move from North End almost grabbed them a goal back. Again Mayor and McLaughlin were the creators. Mayor twisting and turning before sliding a ball towards the byline which McLaughlin was onto like a flash. McLaughlin's cross to the back post was met by the head of Dougan but the diminutive striker could not get his header on target.

Comrie pulled off a fine reaction save on 74 minutes. Ryan Brooke had muscled his way into a shooting position and powered an effort that looked destined for the roof of the net but somehow Comrie managed to get a glove to the ball and glance the shot over the crossbar.

Oldham's clinching goal came from the resultant corner. The ball was swung in from the right and Smyth collapsed in a heap under the ball gifting Brooke the easiest of tap-ins. The Preston defence looked towards the officials but they gave the goal rather than a foul on Smyth.

Jamie Proctor went on a winding run as he looked to salvage something from the game. His pace took him clear of several would-be challengers and as he got to the edge of the box he whipped in a shot which stung the hands of Oldham keeper Dean Brill.

Jamie Proctor again came close to getting his name on the score sheet seven minutes from time when he received the ball in the right channel, looked up and hit a cross-cum-shot which forced Brill into an acrobatic save, tipping the ball away for a corner.

North End were looking the stronger side as the game entered its final stages and Danny Mayor went on a surging run in the 86th minute before nudging the ball into the path of Dougan inside the box. Dougan was always stretching though and his shot was always rising as it flew over the crossbar.

Mayor got a chance of his own as the game entered stoppage time. Proctor harassed and chastised his defender to such an extent deep in Oldham territory that the defender was forced to clear the ball straight into the path of Mayor who was lurking on the edge of the box. Mayor took one touch before unleashing a volley at goal that was only denied by a fine fingertip save from Brill.