Preston made several changes is due to international call ups and also to allow players a game who had not featured in the league recently due to injury although the side did retain a strong look.
Stuckmann played in goial whislt the back four saw Clarke pushed out to right back with Buchanan on the left, Huntington and King were paired in the centre. Welsh returned after injury in midfield alongside Kilkenny whilst Reid and Humphrey started ont he wings. Gallagher supported Garner up front.
North End did not have long to wait for the first goal as Humphrey continued his good form by scoring wen put through inside the first 15 minutes. Preston continued to have much of the ball but could not convert possession into goals.
Vale equalised soon after the break when Tom Pope held off Jack King to head home. Preston will be dissapointed by the way the equaliser was conceded.
Preston were soon back in front thanks to an audacious chip from Garner from the edge of the box which was worthy of a higher stage that the JPT.
Gallagher added a third and Preston were sitting comfortably until Pope notched a second just before the ned to make it a nervous final few minutes.
The draw for the next round takes place on Saturday morning.