Two late strikes from Chelsea Flanagan and Holly Rawcliffe secured a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest Ladies in the second round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Jade Parker had put PNE ahead in the first half before Tara Guyler equalised for Forest in the 83rd minute, but the Lilywhites fought back to set up a tie with Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in the Third Round.
North End started the game well and created two chances in the opening five minutes.
Sarah Chadwick made room for herself in the area but put her shot over the bar before Nikki Emery was denied by Forest goalkeeper Vanessa Kinnerley.
At the other end, Danielle Brown was rarely tested in the first half but was called into action in the 23rd minute when she made a smart save to deny Megan Howard who had broken the offside trap.
The deadlock was broken thirteen minutes later as Parker added another goal to her tally for the season.
Emery sent a deep cross into the box that evaded the Forest defence and allowed Parker to head in unmarked at the back post.
The former FC United striker had a chance to add a second shortly before the half-time whistle but saw her shot trickle inches wide of the post.
The game turned into a midfield battle after the restart with neither team creating many chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Preston were forced into a change early on with Rawcliffe replacing Emery who had suffered an injury following a clash of heads.
As the game ticked into the final 15 minutes, Flanagan went on a dazzling run before shooting straight at Kinnerley, before the Forest goalkeeper denied Yasmine Swarbrick with an outstretched leg.
Forest got their equaliser in the 83rd minute through Guyler after she capitalised on a defensive mistake.
The Lilywhites failed to clear their lines and Guyler fired into the back of the net off the inside of the post.
The goal seemed to give Preston a second wind and they created a chance within two minutes of the equaliser, but Paige Forster's effort was straight down the throat of Kinnerely.
However it wasn't long until the lead was restored with the goal of the game from Flanagan.
The former Manchester City striker picked up the ball forty yards from goal and drove forward before cutting back on her left foot and curling the ball into the far corner.
Progression to the third round was confirmed in the 90th minute as PNE took advantage of Forest leaving gaps at the back in search of another equaliser.
Flanagan played in Rawcliffe who had acres of space to run into before calmly slotting past Kinnerley to make it 3-1.
Women's Super League Two sides entered the FA Women's Cup at the third round stage but PNE avoided them after being given an away tie against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in Monday's draw with the tie taking place on 1st February.
North End started the game well and created two chances in the opening five minutes.
Sarah Chadwick made room for herself in the area but put her shot over the bar before Nikki Emery was denied by Forest goalkeeper Vanessa Kinnerley.
At the other end, Danielle Brown was rarely tested in the first half but was called into action in the 23rd minute when she made a smart save to deny Megan Howard who had broken the offside trap.
The deadlock was broken thirteen minutes later as Parker added another goal to her tally for the season.
Emery sent a deep cross into the box that evaded the Forest defence and allowed Parker to head in unmarked at the back post.
The former FC United striker had a chance to add a second shortly before the half-time whistle but saw her shot trickle inches wide of the post.
The game turned into a midfield battle after the restart with neither team creating many chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Preston were forced into a change early on with Rawcliffe replacing Emery who had suffered an injury following a clash of heads.
As the game ticked into the final 15 minutes, Flanagan went on a dazzling run before shooting straight at Kinnerley, before the Forest goalkeeper denied Yasmine Swarbrick with an outstretched leg.
Forest got their equaliser in the 83rd minute through Guyler after she capitalised on a defensive mistake.
The Lilywhites failed to clear their lines and Guyler fired into the back of the net off the inside of the post.
The goal seemed to give Preston a second wind and they created a chance within two minutes of the equaliser, but Paige Forster's effort was straight down the throat of Kinnerely.
However it wasn't long until the lead was restored with the goal of the game from Flanagan.
The former Manchester City striker picked up the ball forty yards from goal and drove forward before cutting back on her left foot and curling the ball into the far corner.
Progression to the third round was confirmed in the 90th minute as PNE took advantage of Forest leaving gaps at the back in search of another equaliser.
Flanagan played in Rawcliffe who had acres of space to run into before calmly slotting past Kinnerley to make it 3-1.
Women's Super League Two sides entered the FA Women's Cup at the third round stage but PNE avoided them after being given an away tie against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in Monday's draw with the tie taking place on 1st February.