PNE twice came from behind before securing victory on penalties at Sheffield Wednesday in an enthralling FA Cup third round tie.
Returning to South Yorkshire just a week after their last knockout tie in the Premier League Cup semi final ended in disappointment at Doncaster Rovers Belles, Chris Stammers' charges got their FA Cup run off to the perfect start by seeing off one of their nearest rivals in the Northern Division table, and with it the chance to secure a further scalp in the fourth round as they travel to face either Manchester City or Newcastle.
It all came about despite the home side taking an early lead; failure to close down in midfield and indecision between the North End centre halves allowing Cheryl Mawhood to latch onto the through ball and produce a perfect finish past the visiting keeper Danielle Gibbons.
North End countered with a good spell of possession and opportunities; Gemma Watson playing a ball through for Sam Cadwallader but the alert Owls keeper Danni Maslin gathered. Watson then saw her own effort go over the bar, but on 20 minutes the desired equaliser came.
Alison Taberner's free kick was deflected for a corner taken by Laura Walker. Maslin claimed the ball mid flight but it then inexplicably ended up in the back of her net.
Preston captain Sarah Berry then shot over before Laura Walker gave Preston the lead on the half hour mark. Watson worked well to retain the ball before playing in Walker who gave Maslin no chance of saving.
Sheffield's goalscorer Mawhood then shot over before brave keeping from Maslin prevented Cadwallader from extending the Lilywhites' lead. Final opportunities before the interval saw Maslin gather a Walker free kick and then produce a save from her too.
After the interval Preston continued to press for a further goal with Cadwallader shooting wide under pressure and Watson then putting her effort wide.
Eight minutes into the half Sheffield made their first substitution with Lucy Smith making way for Beth Gingell, and following resulting pressure, a Sheffield corner then required clearing off the line first by Louise Cafferkey and then Sarah Jones.
Just before the hour mark, Leanne Severns' corner for the Owls was initially cleared then played back to her but her shot went wide. In the 65th minute of the game Watson again worked well to retain possession and played the ball into the Sheffield box but Preston were unable to capitalise. Preston manager Chris Stammers then made his first change with Cadwallader being replaced by Hannah Bailey. Sheffield then made another substitution with Bridie Hannon making way for Rachel Skeemer.
On 75 minutes, a clearance by Maslin found a Sheffield striker who was tackled by Louise Belcher, the referee and his assistant judged this a yellow card offence but Sheffield's Gingell hit the Preston wall with her free kick.
With ten minutes remaining Stammers replaced Cafferkey with Linny Craig, only for the next action in the last five minutes of the game seeing the hosts equalise with substitute Skeemer beating the offside trap to finish cleverly past Gibbons. The final attempt fell to Sheffield who were awarded a last minute corner but a foul on Preston keeper Gibbons brought an end to normal time.
Into extra time, the home team started the stronger with Preston clearing a Mawhood corner. A Walker corner for Preston was headed over the bar by Jones with Maslin then saving well from Craig and Taberner. The last action of the period saw the Owls take the lead for the second time in the game, a Mawhood free kick fired home by Leanne de Silva.
At the turn round, Stammers made his final substitution with Mel Bartley replacing defender Vikki Eastwood and Preston then playing a 3-4-3 formation in search of an equaliser. Bartley soon became involved with Watson playing the ball through to the unmarked Craig who in turn fed Bartley who was unfortunately called offside. Chances fell to both teams but it was with less than five minutes to go that the desired and dramatic equaliser came, Watson retaining the ball and then passing to Craig who finished past Maslin.
The lottery of the penalty shoot out followed with Sheffield electing to go first. The first six penalties were all converted with De Silva, Mawhood and Hobson finishing for the home side and Watson, Bailey and Walker following suit for PNE. Mel Sherwood for Sheffield was then the unfortunate player to put hers over the bar with goal scorer Craig then finishing past Maslin. Gingell then completed the shoot out for her team leaving Martin to score hers and take Preston into the next round.
An entertaining game for the neutral against a determined and hard working Sheffield side, Preston manager Stammers felt his team should have put their chances away to avoid having to play extra time but nevertheless they achieved the result they needed and progression into January's fourth round.
Sheffield Wednesday: Danni Maslin, Leanne Severns (capt), Lucy Smith, Sarah Hobson, Lucy Foreman, Hollie Barker, Mel Sherwood, Leanne De Silva, Laura Windle, Bridie Hannon, Cheryl Mawhood. Subs: Beth Gingell, Christina Skull, Rachel Skeemer, Nicole Jepson.
PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Sarah Berry (capt), Mel Martin, Louise Cafferkey, Gemma Watson, Sam Cadwallader. Subs: Hannah Bailey, Linny Craig, Mel Bartley, Cathy Jones, Jenny Horrocks.
Next Sunday's first team clash against Sunderland has been called off due to the need to re-arrange the Mackems' FA Cup third round tie which fell victim to the weather first time round. No new date has been set for the fixture at this stage.
PNE WFC reserves suffered a heavy home defeat 7 -1 against Liverpool reserves, Rachelle Smith scoring the solitary Preston goal.
