GAME 29 Into the third round

In the end Preston North End deserved their 2-0 win over League 2 leaders Gillingham although they had to survive a couple of nervy moments before cementing their place in the third round of the world's most famous cup competition.
North End started like a house on fire and had an early chance which Robertson somehow managed to clear instead of heading towards goal. Wingers Monkana and Holmes were causing the visitors a stream of problems with their speed.
It was no surprise when the home side took a 12th minute lead although there was a touch of fortune about the goal about the goal, Monakana's shot took a deflection and ended up in the net. (1-0)
At that moment in time it looked as if North End would win quite easily but they were give a scare half way through the half when Fish found himself in acres of space, his first effort was tame however his second effort was well saved by a home supporter 15 rows back in the crowd. The Gills fans were about to celebrate a goal from Vincelot however the mammoth reach of Preston keeper Stuckmann pulled out a fine save to save the day.
It became apparent that one goal would not be enough especially when a cross from the right narrowly avoided Burton who was sliding in at the back post.
Within a minute of this miss, the home side had doubled the lead, Davies back pass was woefully short of Fortune who lost the ball to Holmes, the ball squirmed into space were Beavon was on hand to blast the ball home. (2-0) Job done, not quite.
A frenetic start to the second half saw the Gills awarded a penalty for hand ball by Welsh, Burton hit the post with the kick, within a minute Monakana was brought down on his way to goal, most people thought so except Mr Kettle who waved play on. It was end to end stuff as Beavon rattled the Gills post from 12 yards and Stuckmann pulled off a world class save to deny Burton.
As the tempreture began to dip so did the game, North End thought they had scored a third, but a foul on the keeper was given.
Gillingham battled hard but the massed ranks of the home defence kept them at bay.

Preston North End 2 Gillingham 0 Att 5271 with about 400 from Gillingham