Starting XI: fon Williams, Lynch, Turnbull, Swailes, Assoumani, Tansey, Conlon, Donnelly, Poole, Halls, Rowe.
Subs: Vincent, Partridge, Griffin, Mainwaring, Pilkington, Fisher, Ormson.
Stockport County began the Paul Simpson era at Edgeley Park with a 1st round Carling Cup tie against Championship side PNE.
George Donnelly, eager to add to his goal on Saturday, forces two corners in quick succession in the opening two minutes, with neither kick causing too many problems for the visitors, and for the first ten minutes it is definitely County, playing some lovely passing football, that are looking the better side.
Greg Tansey hits a 25 yard effort just over the bar, after good set up play fro Barry Conlon and Donnelly, but straight from the goal kick Preston show how dangerous they can be as Parry breaks clear and shoots wide when well placed to open the scoring.
An innocuous looking shoulder charge fro Donnelly gives Hayes the chance to test fon Williams from distance, and his well struck effort is brilliantly turned over the bar by the big Welshman in front of an appreciative Cheadle End.
County are still playing good football, as Danny Rowe, following good work down the right from Mark Lynch, and Conlon both shoot narrowly wide, Conlon and Donnelly are showing signs of a good understanding as a partnership.
fon Williams pulls off an even better save to deny Coutts who is through one on one, although he is well beaten from the penalty spot just moments later after the assistant referee signals for a penalty after Andy Halls appears to have won the ball cleanly in the box.
The goal is harsh on County as they had been the better side over an entertaining first half, and with the referees whistle blowing for half time just a minute later, the timing couldn't have been much worse.
The teams lined up for the second half without any changes to either side and again County start well with Tansey forcing Lonergan to tip his sharp effort around the post, although once again North End almost reply immediately as Lynch saves an effort on the line.
Another match changing incident appears to go in the visitors favour as Mayor, who had been booked for a crude challenge on David Poole in the first half, quite clearly kicks the ball away after a free kick is awarded and only gets a lecture from the referee when the 3,724 supporters in Edgeley Park are expecting a red card.
County are made to pay as James creates and scores a good goal from a quick throw on the left to double the score. Both sides make changes with Danny Pilkington replacing Rowe for County.
Danny Swailes unfortunately slips in the area and in his haste to make up brings down Hayes, with the striker picking himself up to score from the spot to put the tie beyond the Hatters with 25 minutes to play.
Richie Partridge replaces Conlon, with Pilkington joining Donnelly up front, and he is soon in action as Wright joins Mayor in the book for pulling the winger back. Manchester United loanee Joshua King, introduced moments earlier, announced his arrival in scintillating fashion as he raced down the right and delivered a square ball to Hayes who forced home at the second attempt to make it four, and then scored a goal of his own to complete the scoring.
Tom Fisher replaced Donnelly for the final change by Paul Simpson, and although well beaten on the night, apart from the scoreline, the County Manager will have been pleased with several aspects of his teams performance as his team continued to play neat football until the final whistle.
