PRESTON NORTH END 2 (Dichio 78, Alexander 119 P) BARNSLEY 2 (Burns 81, 107) BARNSLEY WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES A DISGRACEFUL penalty decision in the final minute of extra time almost handed Preston the chance to progress in the Carling Cup but Nick Colgan and Stephen McPhail were the Reds heroes after a triumphant shootout. Reds boss Andy Ritchie rang the changes for tonight's Carling Cup clash at Preston with Scott Flinders, Nicky Wroe and Antony Kay coming into the side. Burns, Nick Colgan and Neil Austin all dropped to the bench. Barnsley went 4-3-3 for the Preston clash with Barry Conlon, Paul Hayes and Chris Shuker forming a three man strike force in front of Stephen McPhail, Kay and Wroe. Flinders made his first start of the season in goal behind a back four of Dale Tonge, Paul Reid, Matt Carbon and Robbie Williams. With no Richard Cresswell, North End opted for Patrick Agyemang to partner exciting youngster David Nugent in attack. Barnsley were almost behind within ten seconds of the start when Nugent combined with Paul McKenna to split the Reds backline only for a last gasp intervention by Williams to deny the home side. A minute later McKenna flashed a volley high over the top after Carbon had struggled to clear a Lewis Neal cross. Preston got in again on five minutes as Chris Sedgwick did well to cross from the right and find Nugent in acres of space but the young striker was denied by Flinders fine low save. Barnsley finally sprang to life on seven minutes as Shuker managed to rob Tye Mears and race in on the North End defence only for his low shot to be easily fielded by Carlo Nash. The bright spark quickly faded as at the other end McKenna flashed a shot high over the top from a corner as the Reds defence were caught out again. Quick thinking by Sedgwick set up another North End attack on eleven minutes as the former Rotherham winger found Agyemang in the area but the striker struggled to get his shot away under pressure from Shuker. A great piece of skill by Agyemang on 15 minutes left Carbon for dead on the touchline but after creating space for a shot the striker lashed his effort well wide of the target from the edge of the area. Agyemang again got in behind the Reds defence on 17 minutes as he took advantage of the latest interpretation of the offside rule to race in only for Tonge to block his effort over the bar. A minute later Sedgwick's quick ball sent Nugent through in on Flinders but the striker lost all composure and rifled his effort wide of the target. Preston were running riot and again Sedgwick sent McKenna in behind on 20 minutes but this time the Reds defence manager to clear as Agyemang and Nugent looked to pounce. It looked as tough Preston were bound to take the lead on 24 minutes as Shuker was caught in possession and the Reds caught up field allowing Neal the chance to run in and find Agyemang in the centre only this time Carbon managed to get his body in the way of the striker's goalbound shot. Patient build up play by the home side exploited the Reds again on 27 minutes as Matt Hill eventually sent Neal into the area but again Flinders stood tall to make a comfortable save. Barnsley finally managed to get the ball deep in Preston territory on 35 minutes when Reid picked the ball up 30 yards from goal but the defender fired well wide. Shuker almost set up the opener on 37 minutes when he broke free and played Hayes clean through but the former Scnuthorpe striker wasted the Reds first golden chance of the game but firing well wide of the target. Another counter attack by the Reds on 42 minutes caused Preston's problems as a flowing move ended with Conlon curling an effort well wide. The bit of pressure lifted the visitors and Tonge powered forward in stoppage time to cross well but Conlon could only force Nash into a save when well placed in the centre. Barnsley started the second half brightly with Wroe sending over a deep cross on 48 minutes and Conlon did well but could only direct a looping header into the arms of Nash. Despite the Reds pushing on they were almost caught out on 50 minutes as Agyemang did well to find Neal in the area and the winger smashed a full-blooded shot goalward only for Flinders to pull of a great point blank save. The ball fell to Jones on the six yard line but somehow the midfielder prodded his effort against the upright with the whole goal gaping Two minutes later Sedgwick put in a fine cross from the right for Nugent to run into and flick towards goal only for Flinders to pull another world class save. Nugent got in again on 51 minutes but once more Flinders was quick off his line to make a fine save. McKenna exposed the Reds again down the right on 55 minutes to cross but this time Jones could only put his free header high over the top from 12 yards. Barnsley countered again two minutes later with Wroe's barnstorming run breaking straight through a static North End midfield but the youngster just could not find Hayes free in the centre with the defence caught out. Shuker went inches away from opening the scoring on 61 minutes with a low drive from distance before Andy Ritchie shuffled his pack, bringing on Burns and Tony Vaughan to replace Tonge and Kay, and switching to a three man defence. North End were still lively and still causing problems as Nugent raced clear on 65 minutes but dragged his effort well wide. A great quick free kick between Burns and McPhail caught the Preston defence flatfooted and it looked a goal all the way from the Irishman only for the sprawling Chris Luketti to block away from the top corner. The opening goal was harsh on the Reds and especially on the outstanding Flinders as McKenna's quick thinking split the Barnsley defence wide open and Danny Dichio was in the right place to sweep the ball into the back of the net. Three minutes later the Reds took advantage of an injured Preston player prone in the area to equalise. Barnsley played to the whistle and Burns swept in Williams' cross from close range to level the tie although the home side could feel aggrieved as they felt that play should have been brought back to allow treatment. Barnsley could have won it in normal time as Williams great anticipation sliced the Preston defence in two but the full backs touch was too strong just took the ball through to Nash. North End went straight down the other end to create a chance for themselves as Jones broke in at Flinders but once again the Reds keeper was inspired to parry his effort to safety. North End almost got their noses in front again on 92 minutes as substitute Brian O'Neill found space at the back post but hammered his shot across the face of goal when well placed. Preston wasted a gilt-edged chance once more just a minute later after Nugent had bought a free kick out of Vaughan by the corner flag. The ball was sent over by McKenna but Claude Davis, Graham Alexander and David Jones contrived to head the ball over the top from six yards. Flinders had to be at his very, very best again on 96 minutes as Dichio sent a bouncing volley goalward but the Reds keeper again pulled a save right out of the top drawer to tip the ball away for a corner. It was a fine save but unfortunately the England youngster injured his back and was forced out of the action with Colgan coming into the fray. Colgan was called into action on 102 minutes as he fielded Jones bouncing effort at the second attempt before Shuker was inches away from grabbing a second with a well-struck shot that was deflected just wide. Wonderful play by Hayes crafted a second goal for the Reds on 107 minutes as the striker beat the Preston defence to cut into the area and square past Nash for the onrushing Burns to rifle into the top corner. Colgan almost matched Flinders heroics in the Reds goal with a fine one handed save from Dichio's downward header on 111 minutes but the goal would not have stood as the referee blew for a foul. The home side thought they had a stonewall case for a penalty on 113 minutes as Sedgwick's cross struck the arm of Vaughan in the area but it would have been very harsh on the Reds defender if the ref had given anything. The referee obviously thought he had made a mistake not giving the earlier decision against Vaughan as the next time Sedgwick crossed from the right and the Reds defender powered the ball out of play he raised his whistle and pointed to the spot to hand the home side an outrageous penalty. Graham Alexander levelled things with a well-struck spot kick. In the end it all came down to penalties after 120 minutes of play had failed to find a winner. Alexander, Williams, Sedgwick, Conlon, Dichio and Hayes all scored before O'Neill suffered a Deepdale nightmare when his spot kick was brilliantly stopped by Colgan. Vaughan and Jones both found the back of the net and the spotlight fell on McPhail. The Irish international kept his cool and hammered the ball into the top corner to send the Reds through after a remarkable evening at Deepdale. PRESTON NORTH END: Nash, Mears, Hill (Alexander 78), Lucketti, Davis, Jones, McKenna, Sedgwick, Neal (Dichio 69), Agyemang (O'Neill 82), Nugent. Subs: C. Neal, Mawene. BARNSLEY: Flinders (Colgan 100), Reid, Carbon, Hayes, Conlon, McPhail, Kay (Burns 61), Wroe, Shuker, Tonge (Vaughan 61), Williams. Subs: Austin, Jarman.
Good old ref The referee obviously thought he had made a mistake not giving the earlier decision against Vaughan as the next time Sedgwick crossed from the right and the Reds defender powered the ball out of play he raised his whistle and pointed to the spot to hand the home side an outrageous penalty.
