Preston North End 0-1 Derby County
Preston North End were left sheepish after a headstrong Derby County performance saw them progress to the third round of the League Cup for the first time in seven years on Tuesday night.
Alan Irvine made a couple of changes from the side that drew with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday; Billy Jones moved across to centre back with Michael Hart filling the void on the right. Ross Wallace made his second appearance as a Preston player, filling in on the left wing. Richard Chaplow dropped to the bench with Darren Carter his replacement and Karl Hawley started up front with Neil Mellor.
Despite the visitors starting off brightly, it was Preston who enjoyed the majority of the first half possession and even had a chance as soon as the seventh minute through Ross Wallace. Michael Hart picked the ball up on the right who slotted it into Sedgwick on the overlap, the former Rotherham man's cross was missed by Mellor but fell to Wallace. The on loan Sunderland winger turned and shot on the half volley from 10 yards out but was high, wide and not very handsome.
North End's best chance of the first half though was through Neil Mellor who forced a save from Roy Carroll. Wallace played in Mellor who showed good strength and determination on the edge of the box, turned and unleashed a powerful shot. Preston were now enjoying some good possession with intricate passing and good movement but just lacked that cutting edge, which sadly was the story of their night.
Derby took advantage of Preston's lack of invention on 40 minutes when Paul Green headed in a Jordan Stewart cross. Villa showed his persistence by winning the ball of Michael Hart who was looking to win a throw in, the ball broke to Jordan Stewart who sent in a deep cross to the back post. Paul Green headed back across goal over Andrew Lonergan, who was powerless to stop it from nestling in the top corner. 1-0 to Derby who had made the most of the few chances they had created.
Ross Wallace had the opportunity to equalise just before half time from a free kick but his effort was well saved by Carroll down to his left, who was putting in a solid performance between the sticks.
After the interval, Preston came straight out of the traps with intent having gone close to equalising through Mellor who could not quite connect to a Chris Sedgwick pass.
The second half became 45 minutes of resolute defending from Derby County who sat back and tried to beat Preston on the counter. Karl Hawley was his industrious self, trying to create chances out of nowhere but due to a breakdown between midfield and attack, it was proving increasingly difficult for Preston to get that equaliser.
Simon Whaley and Richard Chaplow came on late in the second half with both players instrumental in anything that happened in Derby's half. Chaplow almost got himself on the score sheet for the second consecutive game but he could not quite latch onto a St Ledger long ball.
Derby were worthy of their win as even Paul Jewell admitted himself. Jewell also went on to say that it was a "step in the right direction for us" and that "It was pleasing to get the right result and also pleasing to know that we are not even half way there yet". It was Derby's second win of the season having only beat Lincoln prior Tuesday's game.
His opposing number, Alan Irvine admitted that he was "very disappointed" with the result and dismissed the suggestion that he can take consolation that his side can now concentrate on the league, citing that he would have concentrated on the league regardless of tonight's result. Conversely, this gives evidence to suggest that Irvine will also be treating the FA Cup just as seriously as any other game when the time comes.
Preston:
Lonergan, Hart, Jones, St Ledger, Hill, Sedgwick (Whaley 68), McKenna (C), Carter (Chaplow 82), Wallace, Hawley, Mellor
Subs not used: Mawene, Jarrett, Nicholson, Whaley, Ormerod, Neal
Derby
Carroll, Connelly (C), Green, Stewart, Kazmierczak (Mears 79), Commons, Villa, Hulse (Davies 77), Leacock, Addison, Albrechtsen
Subs not used: McEveley, Bywater, Sterjovski, Pearson, Pereplotkins
Attendance: 8,037
Man of the Match: Sean St Ledger