North End 1 Stockport 2 (January 3)

THEY rolled out the red carpet in a tribute to Sir Tom Finney's knighthood in the New Year Honours list - and with better finishing North End could have made it a double celebration in this FA Cup third round clash.

North End came at Stockport in the opening 15 minutes and when Ashcroft was sent clear of a static back four the Preston supporters got ready to salute the opener, but goalkeeper Eric Nixon stuck out a long leg to keep the ball out of his net.

Then it was John Macken with a chance in a crowded goal area and his shot was on the way into the net until it hit Damon Searle on the body and bounced clear.

Nixon again came to County's rescue when he raced from his line as the defenders in front of him let Macken through and he bravely saved at the Preston striker's feet.

Then, just when it seemed that Stockport had to crack, they took the lead after a dreadful defensive mix-up.

A long ball played into the Preston half looked quite harmless and Michael Jackson could have cleared it easily. Moilanen, in goal, could have gathered it with no trouble at all, but they both left it to each other, neither made a move towards the ball and Brett Angell raced in to head the ball into an empty net.

Lifted by the excellent Preston support, North End came back at County and a series of crosses and attacks on goal had Stockport up against it, but they clung on desperately to that priceless 1-0 scoreline at half-time.

Preston, as expected, came at Stockport with all guns blazing in the second half, playing some neat controlled football.

County were under pressure and as the crosses came in it looked as though North End would score an equaliser.

But another defensive lapse of concentration let in Kevin Cooper down the right and his slide rule cross into the box was perfect for Angell as he swept the ball beyond Moilanen and the home support just couldn't believe what was happening.

At the three-quarter stage of the match the Preston pressure at last told.

Appleton's run took him into the box and as he was about to cross his legs were taken from under him.

Despite the lengthy protests from the Stockport players the referee pointed to the spot.

Nixon was jumping up and down in his goal trying to put Lee Ashcroft off, but the Preston man stroked the ball inside the post to set up a frantic finish.

The crowd behind North End as the Twin Towers of Wembley came back into sight, the ball bounced around the County box as Preston battled to force the ball in and Stockport fought to keep it out of their net.

Preston deserved another bite of the cherry, but those defensive lapses cost them dearly.

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