Preston heroics count for nothing in replay

PRESTON ATHLETIC'S hopes of progressing to the third round of the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history were extinguished almost straight from the kick-off in this second round replay after last week's goalless draw.

Preston travelled south full of optimism having played for nearly 70 minutes in the initial game with only ten men. But after taking the kick-off, Preston lost possession on the halfway line and were immediately put under severe pressure by a determined Annan.

A hopeful ball from the right wing in the third minute reached the apex of the penalty box on the left where unmarked Annan defender John McBeth rattled a 20-yard shot that found its way into the net while most of the Preston players were still waiting for their first touch of the ball.

Only two minutes later, there was a let off for Preston when Chris Jardine and David Cox combined for a short corner and the latter's shot hit the post. Preston did have a brief sojourn to the other end where Stuart Miller had a shot blocked then a Mark Pagliarulo free kick hit the Annan defensive wall and was cleared.

In the 15th minute, Annan stretched their advantage when a harmless looking cross evaded the Preston defence and Ian Harty scored from eight yards.

The third goal saw Preston in possession in the 20th minute but some slack passing gifted the ball to Harty midway inside their own half and the striker ran through to net from the edge of the penalty box.

Cox should have added to the total but shot over the bar from close range before, on the stroke of half time, Annan did extend their lead. A Jack Steele cross was flicked on by Cox to Jordan Halsman who hit the ball behind Ross Gilpin from within the six yard box. The second half proved to be a timid affair with Preston enjoying a fair amount of possession. Preston's Sean McAuley had a free kick blocked and Greg McColl shot across the face of goal before Andy Aitken hit Gilpin's crossbar with a fierce header.

Preston had a little spurt of attacking activity and Craig Scott side-footed a McColl cross straight at John Jamieson then Stuart Martin shot wide from a good position but Annan put their final mark on the game six minutes from time when the ball fell kindly for substitute Javier Amaya who belted it into the net from 12 yards.

McAuley said: "Ultimately we were punished for making such a slow start. Annan came flying out of the blocks, probably because they thought they had something to prove to their home fans, and for the first 15 minutes we simply did not play. I honestly don't know why that was, maybe the occasion, but the game was almost over before it had started.

"The positive aspect for us is that some of our younger players will have gained experience which will help their development."

Preston manager Stevie Myatt added: "All the work we did last week and my instructions immediately before the game went out of the window in only three minutes. I said ‘don't allow them to shoot from long range' and that's exactly what happened for their opening goal.

"There were individual errors which were costly and I believe that naivety punished us and we can take very little out of the game. Annan were better than us and showed why they are sitting at the top end of the Third Division."

Annan will now travel to meet Brechin City in the third round.

Annan Athletic: Jamieson, Muirhead, McBeth, Jardine, Aitken, Gilfillan, S. Sloan, Steele (Watson, 62), Harty (Felvus, 76), Cox (Amaya, 62), Halsman. Subs: L. Sloan, Summersgill.

Preston Athletic: Gilpin, Barton, Duthie, Leighfield (McCaul, 84), Scott, McAuley, McColl, Lothian, Miller, Pagliarulo (Martin, 63), Laidlaw (Lee, 76). Subs: Colquoun, Thomson.

Annan Athletic 5

Preston Athletic 0