PRESTON manager David Moyes is banking on his new-look strike force to make an impression soon.

His new £1.5m buy David Healy, 11-goal scorer Jon Macken and American international forward Brian McBride had opportunities to put North End in the hat for yesterday's fourth round draw but were denied by former Rossendale and Clitheroe keeper Carlo Nash.

Instead Frenchman Karim Fradin made his chance count for Stockport firing home from 25 yards on 71 minutes to settle the tie.

"A lack of finishing cost us going into the next round. I thought we actually played really well and we missed a couple of chances that may go in on another day," said Moyes, whose side have lost four out of their last five games.

"David Healy has done very well since he joined us. He has not played a great deal of football but he has made an impression on me and the rest of the players in training.

"He looks like he will get goals."

And Moyes is hoping to thrash out a permanent deal with American McBride, who has played six games on loan at Deepdale but has yet to score.

"I'm sure a goal will come soon. I think his wholehearted play has been a big plus for us.

"He never shirks a challenge and makes things happen. I hope in the future that we can make Brian's loan a permanent deal.

"The FA Cup has been good to us in recent years with Arsenal and Everton. This year it wasn't to be."

North End were without six first teamers for the County clash.

The biggest absentee was skipper Sean Gregan who 'tweaked his knee' with Michael Jackson taking over as captain.

Also out were defenders Rob Edwards (flu), Colin Murdock (back), Graham Alexander (rib) and winger Iain Anderson (hamstring) plus striker Bjarki Gunnlaugsson (groin).

Moyes had to reshape the back four once more and handed over the left side to two youngsters Brian Barry-Murphy and Adam Eaton who both impressed.

"The injuries gave others the chance to come in and I think these two on the left did well," added Moyes.

But it was Nash who kept out North End.

The 27-year-old, the subject of a £100,000 bid from Manchester City which is expected to go through today, denied McBride in the first half before using his legs to keep out Healy who broke free on the half hour.

The County shot-stopper collected Jackson's header and got down well to deny Macken's long range drive as Preston searched for an equaliser.

"We're hoping to have a few of the injured back for Blackburn," added Moyes.