PRESTON NORTH END 2, SALFORD CITY 2
(Salford City won 4-2 on penalties)
Salford City savoured the finest night in the club’s short EFL history after the Sky Bet League Two minnows inflicted a Carabao Cup giantkilling act at Championship club Preston North End.
The Ammies triumphed following a dramatic penalty shootout after the absorbing game at Deepdale had finished 2-2.
Two first-half goals from Conor McLennan stunned the Invincibles who were far from that nickname as Salford took control.
Ryan Lowe’s side squared the proceedings with goals either side of half time from former Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn and home debutant Duane Holmes.
There was drama as Will Keane, also making his home bow, then had two goals chalked out for offside as Salford hung on to force a penalty shootout.
After losing on penalties to Stockport in the League Two play-offs in May, there was no repeat as they confidently dispatched all four kicks while Ryan Ledson and Mads Frokjaer both blazed wide for Preston.
Neil Wood described the victory as the highlight of his reign as Salford City head coach.
“What I am proud of was coming here to a Championship club and imposing our style which gives me satisfaction as well as the result,” he said.
Wood added the Ammies have made huge strides in the last 12 months.
“This time last year we went to Bolton in the Carabao Cup, and you could see the strength and quality they had,” he explained, recalling that 5-1 loss.
“One year down the line our squad is better, and we have made huge steps forward.
“It gives them confidence coming here and winning against a team two divisions higher.”
Wood was also pleased how his side triumphed in the shootout after the heartbreak in May.
“It was great that players who missed penalties in that game wanted to take them. It showed character and put the play-off demons to bed,” he continued.
Preston manager Ryan Lowe was disappointed that Keane had two goals disallowed.
“I have seen them again and they were clearly onside. We should have won 3-2 or 4-2. The referee made the decisions, and we have to live with them.”
Lowe defended his decision to make eight changes from Saturday’s league game.
“It is not being disrespectful to Salford and take nothing away from them,” he continued.
“We have a squad, and it was important we utilised it. If the youngsters are not given an opportunity, it is no point them being here, but they have to learn quickly.
McLennan, (23), signed after recently leaving Aberdeen following a 15-year stay, made a dream start to his full debut firing the Ammies ahead in the fifth minute.
And it got even better for the winger when he intercepted a back pass from Jack Whatmough and scored a second to double Salford’s advantage in the 38th minute.
Woodburn halved the deficit shortly before half time and Homes levelled within five minutes of the restart after intercepting a poor pass from goalkeeper Alex Cairns.
Preston were in the ascendancy and had 40 minutes plus stoppages to find a winner which eluded them, despite Keane having the ball in the net twice in the last 12 minutes only to be flagged each time for offside.
Yet Salford might also have snatched victory late on when substitute Matty Lund slid a shot wide when you would have put your money on him finding the net.
And so to the penalty shootout when Salford’s nerve held as they won through to the second round of the Carabao Cup for only the second time since they became an EFL club in 2019.