Paul Gallagher scored a brace to inspire Preston North End to a 2-0 victory over Norwich City to fire the club into the fourth round of the FA Cup this afternoon.
© Getty Images
The home side began the game well and Josh Brownhill tested John Ruddy from distance with a powerful strike, but the keeper was equal to the effort as he made the save.
Norwich hit back and came close to going ahead when Gary O'Neil lifted a free kick into the box which was met by the head of Ryan Bennett, although his header went narrowly wide of the target.
© Getty Images
Gary Hooper had an excellent chance to break the deadlock when he managed to get beyond the last defender, but he failed to control the ball when through on goal, spurning the opportunity.
The visitors pressed again as Nathan Redmond raided down the right and he managed to dig out a cross for Jonny Howson in the penalty area, but the midfielder could only direct his shot over the bar.
In the second half, Neil Adams's men hit the home side on a counter-attack as Howson teed up an effort for Bradley Johnson on the edge of the box, but he put his strike well over the bar.
Preston took the lead in the 71st minute as Jack King nodded a free kick into a dangerous area of the box, and Gallagher showed predatory instincts to latch on to the ball and fire it past Ruddy.
The home side secured their victory six minutes from time when Gallagher notched his second goal of the game as he collected a pass from Kyel Reid and slotted the ball into the net.
Simon Sinclair
