North End played their part in a seven goal FA Cup cracker but were ultimately edged out by fellow Northern Division contenders Manchester City in the fourth round tie at Flixton FC.
Both teams had reached the latest stage by successfully defeating their third round opposition - Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday respectively - after extra time and penalties. This encounter also went to extra time but City managed to score the decisive goal within the added half hour, rewarding them with progression to the next round and a home tie against Everton or WFC Fulham.
The home side opened the scoring within the first couple of minutes; Sarah Penney converting a penalty awarded after the referee consulted his assistant. Preston goalkeeper Jenny Horrocks got a hand to the spot kick but couldn't prevent it from going into the back of the net.
North End pressurised for an equaliser with Gemma Watson shooting on target and Alison Taberner wide. Their reward came on 16 minutes when they won back the ball from a City throw in, the ball into the box played to Louise Cafferkey who worked space for herself to fire her shot home.
Manchester City were then awarded a second penalty on 20 minutes. City captain Lindsay Savage stepped up to take but Horrocks in the Preston goal saved and was equal to the follow up shot with the ball then being cleared for a corner.
On 25 minutes North End took the lead, City keeper Andrea Worrall initially spilling a Laura Walker cross with Watson working hard to keep the ball in play then playing back for Sam Cadwallader to finish.
Both teams had opportunities for further goals with Penney shooting over for City and Sarah Berry for North End but it was Krystal Johnson who produced the City equaliser on the half hour mark, finishing a cross from the right wing at the back post from an acute angle.
Just before the interval City made their first substitution with Jayne Eadie replacing Ellena Turner. The final action of the half saw North End take the lead for the second time, a Horrocks goal kick finding Watson who shot from distance into the top left hand corner.
Within the first couple of minutes of the restart City had equalised with Johnson again the producer; shooting from distance into the bottom left hand corner. Both teams pushed for a further goal with Watson shooting over and City's Danni Young forcing a save from Horrocks. Walker's shot for Preston was then gathered by Worrall. From the hour mark Preston dealt effectively with a succession of City corners. Preston scorer Cafferkey then made way for Linny Craig.
In the 80th minute, however, City captain Savage headed home from a corner and appeared to have given her side the lead but the referee disallowed for a foul on Horrocks. The final action of normal time gave Preston the opportunity to win the game, Watson's through ball just having too much pace for Cadwallader to capitalise fully.
City took the lead in the opening spell of extra time as Johnson obtained her hat trick after working space well to produce her shot.
Preston searched for another equaliser, replacing Cadwallader with Rachelle Smith, and with Watson shooting on target and wide in successive shots. City keeper Worrall then tipped over the bar to ensure her side still had the advantage at the turn round. Just prior to the second period of extra time the City manager replaced Danni Young with Lucy Hindley.
At the break, Preston manager Chris Stammers pushed Walker up front to play with three strikers in an attempt to find another equaliser and force a penalty shoot. With less than ten minutes remaining, both managers made their final substitutions - Mel Martin replacing Berry for Preston and Hayley Marshall replacing Penney for the hosts. But Preston could not break down a determined City and it is they that progress to the fifth round at the end of January.
Preston boss Stammers commented: "I feel the team have put in a good performance considering they haven't been able to play for four weeks.
"I thought they deserved something from the game but in a cup tie someone has to lose."
Manchester City: Andrea Worrall, Fran Champ, Kelly McLellan, Danni Young, Charlotte Farrell, Levi Wensley, Ellena Turner, Rebecca Lee, Lindsay Savage (Captain), Sarah Penney, Krystal Johnson. Subs: Jayne Eadie, Lucy Hindley, Hayley Marshall, Betty Worth.
PNE: Jenny Horrocks, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Anisha Bateman, Sarah Berry (Captain), Louise Cafferkey, Sam Cadwallader, Gemma Watson. Subs-Linny Craig, Mel Martin, Mel Bartley, Rachelle Smith, Laura Todhunter.
Report by Julie Jones. Photos by KIPAX.
