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It was good to see Brad Potts, Lance McGlen and Steven Swinglehurst back in the United defensive ranks after their injury absences, but a clean sheet was gone after only four minutes when the Lilywhites took the lead. Brandon Zubaka forcing Jon Ball into a save in the Carlisle net, only for Doyle Middleton to pounce on the rebound on the edge of the box and fire his shot home narrowly past Swinglehurst on the line.
The Cumbrians levelled matters with 14 minutes on the clock though when Carlisle earned a free-kick 20 yards out following a foul on Phil Towler, David Symington then lashing the set-piece straight into the North End net via a slight deflection. United then missing a few chances to go 2-1 up during a strong spell in the game when Mark Beck first had a shot saved and then headed wide from a Kieran Cahill cross, with Mark Sloan then smacking a drive over the top.
The failure to take those opportunities cost United though when Preston regained the lead in similar circumstances, Zubaka once more having a shot saved as Matt Dudley was this time the man to slot home the rebound. Seanan Clucas then heading wide from a Reece James cross before Michael McLellan's chip hit the crossbar as the Lilywhites looked to extend their lead.
Into the second-half and Clucas had a goalbound header cleared by the Blues defence before Ball was forced into a good save from Middleton's shot. Carlisle then responding at the other end as Symington had a fierce drive kept out by Jordan Watson, then Luke Carr hit a free-kick narrowly wide and Beck sent a header over the top.
Clucas then headed a Middleton corner too high for the home side before the young Blues picked up a late equaliser from the penalty spot with five minutes to go. Preston's Fred Holtom being punished for handball in the box, with Phil Towler then stepping up to send Watson the wrong way. United also missing a chance to win the tie late on when Symington, from a Beck pass, dragged his shot onto the base of the Lilywhites woodwork.
So, with no extra-time in the League Cup at this level, the match went straight to penalties with both sides converting their first five spot-kicks before we went to sudden death. Scott Leather firing home for North End, only for Cumbrians skipper Steven Swinglehurst to strike his effort wide and send Preston through to a third round tie at home to Macclesfield Town.
Preston line-up :
Jordan Watson, Scott Leather, Reece James, Seanan Clucas, Daniel Devine, Fred Holtom, Brandon Zubaka (Sam Ade Osobe 46), Matt Dudley, Michael McLellan, Doyle Middleton (Harris 70), Jack Sonpory (Luke Clarke 61).
Unused substitutes :
Dominic Comrie (GK) and David Kuba-Kuba.
United line-up :
Jon Ball, Lance McGlen, Kieran Cahill, Steven Swinglehurst (c), Brad Potts, Mark Sloan, David Symington, Phil Towler, Mark Beck, Luke Carr (Paddy O'Brien 46), Matt Osmond.
Unused substitutes :
Craig Whinham (GK), Josh Calvert, Jake Cass and Adam Gill.
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