JON Macken received an early birthday present -- his first match ball for Preston although it probably wasn't the one he scored the hat-trick with!

The striker turns 23 tomorrow and, despite 25 goals last season, hadn't scored three in a match for North End since his move from Old Trafford more than three seasons ago.

But some classy finishing sealed a second round Worthington Cup spot for his side against Third Division Shrewsbury, took his tally for the season to six goals in seven games -- and allowed him to leave Deepdale with the match ball.

"I bet he never touched the ball he took home," said assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon.

"There was about six or seven on the go and he probably scored each goal with a different ball!"

Macken immediately eased the First Division side's fears after they trailed 1-0 from their first leg trip to Gay Meadow.

He headed them in front in six minutes, after Steve Robinson, starting only his second game since his £375,000 summer move from Bournemouth, had set him up in the area.

Macken doubled the advantage with an 18-yard curler just six minutes later.

Iain Anderson's 35-yard free kick looked to have crossed the line minutes five minutes after but nothing was given as Preston bombarded the Shrews goal.

"Ando will saying it was 45 yards by this stage but I thought it had crossed the line," said O' Hanlon.

But it was left back Graham Alexander who made it more comfortable sending home a 30 yard effort on the half hour.

"It was a fantastic goal. It did take a tiny defelction but I'm sure it wouldn't have made a difference," added the assistant boss.

Ross Davidson gave the Shrews a lifeline on 55 minutes but Macken's persistence paid off for the third -- and make it an early happy birthday. JON Macken received an early birthday present -- his first match ball for Preston although it probably wasn't the one he scored the hat-trick with!

The striker turns 23 tomorrow and, despite 25 goals last season, hadn't scored three in a match for North End since his move from Old Trafford more than three seasons ago.

But some classy finishing ended the Third Division side's hopes of a Worthington Cup first round upset, took Macken's tally for the season to six goals in seven games -- and also allowed him to leave Deepdale with the match ball.

"I bet he never touched the ball he took home," said assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon. "There was about six or seven on the go and he probably scored each goal with a different ball!"

Macken immediately eased the First Division side's fears after they trailed 1-0 from their first leg trip to Gay Meadow.

He headed them in front in six minutes and doubled the advantage with an 18-yard curler just six minutes later.

Iain Anderson's 35-yard free kick looked to have crossed the line minutes five minutes after but nothing was given as Preston bombarded the Shrews goal.

But it was left back Graham Alexander who made it more comfortable sending home a 30 yard effort on the half hour.

Ross Davidson gave the Shrews a lifeline on 55 minutes but Macken's persistence paid off for the third -- and made it an early happy birthday.