Grayson made a number of changes for the midweek cup clash after Saturday's victory at home to Norwich. Laird came in at left back with Huntington partnering Clarke whilst Wisemand was out on the right.
Kilkenney partnered Browne in midfield with Gallagher and Humphrey playing out wide. Davies and Beckford started the game up front although the latter went off injured in the second half causing concenr.
Walsall started off the better of the two sides in the furst ten minutes but it was Preston who had the majority of the play and chances in the first half which will most likely cost them the tie.
Preston's first attack saw a cross whipped in for Beckford who was three yeards out. He headed towards goal and whilst the keeper made a decent save the header was directed almost directly at the keeper but low down making it a much easier save.
Beckford then missed another gilt edged header when again he headed straight at the keeper instead of into the corner. It did seem to be easier to score than miss.
Walsall came back intot he game towards the ned of the half hitting the post from a long range shot and forcing Stuckmnn into a save from long range but Preston should have been out of sight by half time.
At the break the torrential rain started with a strong wind and Preston never really got going. Davies was taken off and Ebanks Blake along with King platyed up front meaning Preston lost all impetus inthe game although they were never under threat untilt he end.
With 5 minutes to go Kilkenny had to pull down a Walsall attacker otherwise he would have been clean through. Forder curled the free kick over the wall with Stuckmann moving one way and when he went for the ball he slipped. He wouldn't have saved the free kick even without slipping.
There was then a killer blow when Wiseman underhit a ball back. Stuckmann raced out of his goals but in doing so made an angle for Bradshaw to simply slot past him. Whilst the backpass was poor, if the keeper had stayed home then the chance wouldn't have been there for Bradshaw.
It is now a huge task for Preston to overcome at Walsall where they have a notoriously bad record. The Whites did win by three last season but earlier this season they put in a poor perfromance. Away goals do not count but it would be a mammoth task against a Walsall side which will presumably sit back and soak up any pressure.