Port Vale 2 Preston 1

Preston remained unchanged from the draw with QPR but were shaded by the home side throughout the firts half who showed the confidence of a top of the table side.

The conditions were wet and the deadlock remained unbroken until Vale had a corner on 52 minutes which was flicked on by Constatntine and headed home by Sodje unmarked six yards out.

Simpson brought on Agyemang for more fire power but it was youngster Simon Whaley who provided the equaliser with a side foot shot from 18 yards out. However, North End could not pust the game into extra time as with eight minutes to go Constantine was put through and slid the ball under Nash to clinch victory.

Preston once again go out to a lower league side in the League Cup and now make the difficult journey down to Southampton looking to get more players fit for the trip.