PNEWFC progressed to the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup following a 5-1 victory at Robin Park, Wigan.
The visitors had to do things the hard way after falling behind in the opening moments of the game, but their response was clinical and have now moved to within two victories of the cherished silverware.
North End had the first opportunity in the opening minute when Sam Cadwallader was in front of goal but the alert Wigan keeper Andrea Murray smothered out the chance. But a minute later the home side took the lead with Alicia Cain breaking through the defence and slotting coolly past North End keeper Danielle Gibbons.
PNE searched for an immediate equaliser with Cadwallader shooting wide and Murray in the Wigan goal thwarting all other opportunities. On six minutes Preston were awarded a free kick taken by captain Louise Cafferkey but again Murray gathered. On the left wing Mel Bartley worked space well then passed to Cadwallader, who when surrounded by Wigan defenders shot wide.
Further chances fell Preston's way with a Laura Walker cross being cleared at the back post and an Anisha Bateman shot going wide but it was 25 minutes before the desired equaliser was obtained. An Alison Taberner free kick, with the hard working Cadwallader pressurising, was turned into her own net by a Wigan defender.
Preston continued to pressure with Gemma Watson's cross being gathered by Murray and then Mel Martin in the Preston midfield playing a good ball through to Bartley who was adjudged offside. A Watson ball to Bartley was also called offside by the linesman.
On the half hour mark Gibbons did well to prevent the home side taking the lead again, coming off her line to deal with an attack.
At the other end the Lilywhites then took the lead with Martin finding Bartley who beat the Wigan full back and crossed. The cross was taken away from Murray by her centre back's header with Laura Walker coming in at the back post to finish.
Just prior to injury time Sharon Entwhistle's free kick for Wigan was gathered by Gibbons. Preston were then themselves awarded a free kick for a handball on the edge of the box but Bateman's strike was taken by Murray. Still within the long period of injury time Wigan's Natalie Dawber appeared to have obtained an equaliser but after consulting his assistant the referee ruled offside.
At the interval Gibbons made way for Jenny Horrocks in the Preston goal with Preston searching for further goals to take the game beyond their opponents. Cadwallader had the first chance working well to get her shot off but it unfortunately went wide. Martin's shot from distance was then spilled by Murray but gathered at the second attempt.
On 55 minutes the desired goal came with Bateman weighting the ball sufficiently for Walker to finish across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner. Wigan were not disheartened and continued to press, a well taken corner needing clearance off the Preston goal line.
The Preston management then replaced Bartley with Hannah Bailey who immediately got into the action shooting on target from a Taberner pass. Watson then volleyed wide with Linny Craig then replacing Cadwallader.
The lead was further extended on 78 minutes when the industrious Watson's shot was initially blocked with Bailey then finishing.
North End's fifth and final goal came from Craig who took advantage of indecision in the Wigan defence to hit home.
A deserved victory with long spells of possession against a determined Wigan side sees Preston progress to their second semi final of the season, a home tie in the New Year against current holders, Blackburn Rovers.
PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Anisha Bateman, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Mel Martin, Louise Cafferkey, Mel Bartley, Gemma Watson, Sam Cadwallader. Subs: Jenny Horrocks, Hannah Bailey, Linny Craig.
Next week sees Preston return to league action with a home fixture against Rotherham United Ladies FC, a 2pm kick off at the QED Stadium, Bamber Bridge.
