Latics miss out at Preston

PRESTON 2, ATHLETIC 0

SECOND-HALF goals from Eoin Doyle and Jordan Hugill knocked Athletic out of the EFL Cup at the round-two stage.

Stephen Robinson's side gave as good as they got for most of the game at Deepdale and Lee Erwin tested Chris Maxwell's reflexes with some long-range efforts in the second half as the visitors pressed.

Substitute Doyle opened the scoring on 66 minutes, against the run of play. Controlling a left-flank cross, he made room for a left-footed shot that deflected off a defender and trickled past Connor Ripley.

Ripley, who had saved superbly in the first half from Simon Makienok, made a rare error on 81 minutes as Preston doubled their lead. Failing to clear with his left foot near the left touchline, Doyle crossed towards the vacant goal and Hugill rose above his marker to slam a header home.