Shoot-out heartbreak in Trophy thriller

Danny Philliskirk celebrate his second goal

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Athletic 2, Preston 2; Preston win 10-9 on penalties

Athletic's players were applauded off the field after the latest infliction of cruelty in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Preston's Thorsten Stuckmann fired-in following Neil Etheridge's ugly blaze over the bar. At that point every outfield player had taken a spot kick with the score tied.

Kyel Reid's earlier spot-kick hit a post and only just crept in. Had it bounced out at a slightly

different angle, Athletic would be in the northern semi-final of the competition.

Preston wouldn't have been able to complain too much had that been the outcome, such was the boldness of Athletic's comeback in the second half.

Lee Johnson’s three half-time substitutions were a gamble that paid off. Insipid and utterly cowed by Preston in the first half, the home side was suddenly invigorated. The vistors’ lead was wiped out 46 seconds after play resumed. Substitute Jonathan Forte delivered a brilliant cross from the left and Dominic Poleon slid the ball home.

The contest turned on its head. Suddenly Athletic were in full command and piling forward irresistibly.

In the 59th minute, a centre from Joseph Mills was taken by Forte and laid-off to Danny Philliskirk, who found room to squeeze home a neat left-footed finish.

With Liam Kelly back pulling the strings in the midfield, Athletic looked comfortable to see it out. But Preston are a tough side and bounced off the ropes swinging.

The home side finally got going when Mike Jones whipped in a lovely free-kick from the left which eluded everyone in the box before passing no more than a foot wide of a goal Stuckmann was scrambling across.

And when Mills cut inside from the left flank before firing wide with his unfavoured right foot, the portents looked more positive.

Preston then struck with a goal of real class. Philliskirk was caught in possession by John Welsh and as Preston counter-attacked, a deep Beckford ball was retrieved. Tom Clarke produced a cross from the right of wonderful quality and Laird applied the finishing touch with a stooping header.

Poleon almost netted for a second time two minutes after registering his second Athletic goal. Mills' arrowing shot was turned into his path by a pawed Stuckmann save and the half-volleyed rebound flew narrowly off-target.

Not to worry. Athletic carried on stepping on to the front foot. Athletic became the more fluent side and three minutes later had the lead thanks to Philliskirk. Etheridge produced a wonderful save to preserve the lead - temporarily, as it turned out.

Though Preston pressed, chances were at a premium. Then came Laird's free-kick and Clarke's strike, bringing about the tense shoot-out.