Ryan Lowe made a number of changes to his side as they took a break from league action to face Cardiff in the FA Cup Third Round. The game was played behind closed doors due to current covid rules in Wales.
Cunningham played as the left centre back whilst Ledson and McCann were given starts in midfield. Maguire partnered Riis up front. Potts was retained at right wing back after he impressed against Stoke in the league.
Cardiff had struggled this season and Preston looked to be the more composed but never really troubled the Cardiff keeper. North End did have a warning when Davies was played through but fired a shot wide.
The home side broke the deadlock just before the break thanks to some sloppy defending by Preston. Van den Berg was poor in allowing Davies to get the ball turn and run in field. Baeur almost statuesque in the box allowed Davies to run straight by him as the forward fired a shot at goal to give Cardiff the lead.
Preston equalised shortly after the break when Maguire as brought down in the box. Johnson scored from the spot with Preston's only real atttempt at goal all game.
The game headed into extra time and it looked like penalties were imminent until the home side scored again thanks to poor defending. Harris got on the end of an attack after some poor play from Preston to fire home.
Preston were plagued throughout the game with numerous offside decisions some of which were tight calls. There were two other controversial calls towards the end of the game.
Browne, on as a subsitute, appeared to jump into an oppoennt with his elbow but received only a yellow card. Shortly after there was a clear handball by a Cardiff defender but the referee somehow failed to award a penalty.
Preston will have to improve if they are to have any chance of moving up the table but Lowe will have learnt a lot about his side from this defeat and where improvement is needed.