Preston North End marched into the Northern final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 1-0 win over League One rivals Notts County at Meadow Lane this evening.
Simon Grayson's side took the lead on 20 minutes when Paul Huntington tapped in from close range following a scramble in the County box after Roy Carroll had failed to deal with a Preston corner.
Blair Adams burst down the left and teed up Michael Petrasso on the half-hour mark, but the on-loan winger saw his effort fly narrowly wide.
Preston should have been two ahead when Jermain Beckford found himself through on goal 10 minutes after the restart, but with just Carroll to beat the striker fluffed his lines, and the Magpies cleared the danger.
Shaun Derry's side then had their best chance to get back into the game when Garry Thompson's flick-on from a long ball sent Stephen McLaughlin clear of the Preston backline, but he could only send his wild effort high and wide of Thorsten Stuckmann's goal.
Preston North End will now face Walsall in the Northern final in the New Year.
Joe Sharratt
