Preston's youngsters kicked off a double header against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday afternoon, seeing off the visitors by one goal to nil, courtesy of a second half goal from Captain Bailey Wright.

The victory ensured that Preston progressed to the fourth round of the Youth Alliance Cup but Jamie Hoyland's team were made to work hard for their win, with several chances missed by the home side.

North End made seven changes from their win away at Stockport County, with the return of influential winger Neil Dougan, who has missed the last few games due to a bout of illness and his inclusion with the first team squad for their game at Plymouth last Saturday.

It was Dougan who was heavily involved in the first real chance for the Lilywhites with eight minutes on the clock. A quick corner from the Irishman was given straight back to him by Naz El Harrati and Dougan then swung a dangerous cross which just evaded Wright.

The next threat Preston had on the Doncaster goal was in the 26th minute, Seanen Clucas was fouled by a late challenge from Doncaster midfielder Matt Thompson, 30 yards from goal. Dougan curled the resulting free kick towards goal, but got too much on the strike and went harmlessly over the bar.

Two minutes later a lofted pass up field by Wright saw Jordan Bent beat the offside trap, Bent managed to square a pass into the box for Michael McLellan. The striker then shot first time on the turn, although a great save from Rovers goalkeeper Jordan Bradshaw prevented the Northern Irish U 17 International from opening the scoring.

Stand in Captain Wright, had three glorious opportunities inside ten minutes but failed to capitalise on any of these chances, resulting with the sides going in level at half time. The best of these opportunities was from a corner on the right hand side, poor marking by Rovers defence saw the Australian defender free at the back post. Fortunately for the visitors he headed straight into the grateful hands of Bradshaw.

Manager Hoyland rang the changes at half time, bringing on talisman Jamie Proctor and Ryan McGreevy to see if they could change his side's fortunes in front of goal.

This was very nearly the case in the 47th minute. Great play by full back Reece James saw him in an advanced position in the opposition half, he had the time and space to pick out substitute Proctor who rifled a volley agonisingly over.

Dougan was the next to come inches away from putting Preston ahead but came one step closer by smashing the Doncaster cross bar. A free flowing attack by PNE saw them out number the Donny's defence, a perfectly timed through ball by Scott Davidson played Dougan in, who cut in from the left wing. Dougan, who could have squared to an unmarked McGreevy decided to go alone and struck a powerful effort which clattered against Bradshaw's goal frame.

That illusive goal finally came Preston's way in the 51st minute as Wright put his side one step closer to the fourth round draw. The goal, which was not the prettiest, came from some good work on the right hand side by Proctor who was giving left back Rob Oldham a torrid time since his introduction at half time. Proctor swung the ball into a crowded Doncaster penalty area, which saw a goal mouth scramble, eventually turned in by Wright.

Preston started to look more settled now they had that all important first goal with more fluent passing on show from the home side.

James last contribution to this cup tie before he was substituted was a stunning long rang effort which creaked past the right hand post.

It was a case of déjà vu as James' replacement Sam Hart's first contribution to the game was a long range effort on goal which narrowly dipped over from a similar angle.

Preston should have settled the game in the 66th minute, Proctor again pulling the strings as he plays an elegant 40 yard pass to Dougan, the winger made a darting run into the Rovers area, but as before when he decided to go alone, he squared the ball to Davidson, who shot first time but a good save from Bradshaw kept Doncaster in the game.

Doncaster could of sent the game into extra time in the final stages of the match as striker Aaron Moxam, who had been kept quiet all day by the ever present Fred Holtom and Wright hit the post after some good build up play by the visitors

Preston managed to see the game out and progress through to the next round.

Preston manager Jamie Hoyland was happy with the young players that came in for the game. He said: "I put quite a lot of the under 16s in today, which put the balance of the side out. It was an inexperienced side out today but even though it was 1-0 I thought we won the game comfortably."

PNE: Comrie, Clarke, James (Hart 57) Clucas, Wright (c), Holton, Bent (Proctor 45), Davidson, McLellan (McGreevy 45) El-Harrati, Dougan Subs: Leather

Doncaster: Bradshaw, Towler, Oldham (Husband 83), Betts, Nodder, Jones, Blake, Thompson, Moxam, Adkin (Hoyle), Grayson (McMahon 83) Subs: Biggs, Lucas.

Report by Jonathon Swift. Photographs from Doncaster Rovers Football Club.