DESPITE having eight players including influential skipper Sean Gregan missing through injury and illness, North End controlled Saturday's match (January 6) for ninety per cent of the time, but a whole raft of chances were missed and that proved to be very costly.

Preston brought the game to Stockport County and soon it was evident that goalkeeper Carlo Nash was in fine form as he kept out a powerful shot from Brian McBride.

David Lucas in the Preston goal was almost a spectator as Preston applied the pressure and acting captain Michael Jackson came forward in support of the attack and again Nash made a good save from a powerful header.

Paul McKenna shot high over the crossbar and the impressive McBride was unlucky to see a shot which Nash knew nothing about hit him and bounce clear to safety.

Former Preston captain Mike Flynn was performing brilliantly in the Stockport defence and he and Nash were keeping North End out.

In the second half and inspired by the half time team talk from manager David Moyes, North End threw everything at the Stockport defence in a bid to break the deadlock.

Paul McKenna's great individual solo run of 50 yards failed and then David Healy was sent clear with only Nash to beat.

He took the ball on as the crowd expected a goal but his powerful shot was beaten out by Nash as Stockport somehow survived.

Then, a great chance for Brian Barry-Murphy, a free header at goal on the edge of the six yard box but he didn't get enough pace in to the header and Nash saved again.

Still North End came forward as Stockport held on for a replay, Michael Jackson arrived in the box to meet Gary Parkinson's perfect corner kick once again, that man Nash kept the ball out.

Suddenly the lights went out on the FA Cup for Preston as County, in an isolated attack, hit North End with a goal on a break.

The ball dropped perfectly for Frenchman Karim Fradin, he made the perfect connection with a powerful drive from 25 yards and the ball went like a rocket into the top corner of the net giving David Lucas no chance of keeping the ball out of the net.

Back stormed Preston in wave after wave of attacks, trying now to take the match to a reply, a match they could and should have had well wrapped up.

County were in a panic as the ball was played into the box, Lee Cartwright arrived on cue, only the keeper to beat, ten yards out and a clear sight of goal.

Back came the right boot, the Preston fans looked on, surely this would be an equaliser but the North End man only half hit the ball, Nash saved easily and the fans groaned their disappointment.

We have seen it so many times before, particularly in this wonderful FA Cup competition, a team doing all the attacking, but a goalkeeper playing out of his skin, Lady Luck takes a holiday, and suddenly you are out.

That's how it was for Preston. With a full strength side they would surely have dismissed and challenge from Stockport County, but with so many changes it was always going to be difficult.

Adam Eaton, after a nervous opening settled in well on the left side of the back four and he is now challenging for a regular place in the squad.

Preston manager David Moyes said: "I'm disappointed we are out of the cup but I'm not too downhearted. We had eight players missing today yet I thought that we played well. We had our chances throughout the match but we just didn't take them."