Sheffield United 1-3 Preston North End

Paul Gallagher scored Preston's goal in the original fourth-round tie at Deepdale

Preston secured an FA Cup fifth-round home tie against Manchester United with three goals in 10 second-half minutes against Sheffield United.

Jamie Murphy gave hosts United a half-time lead in this fourth-round replay against their League One rivals.

But Paul Gallagher, who scored a stunning free-kick in the first tie at Deepdale, did it again to equalise.

Paul Huntington then headed in Scott Laird's corner before Gallagher converted a penalty to secure victory.

Preston were good value for their victory against a Sheffield United side who were FA Cup semi-finalists last season.

Nigel Clough's team, knocked out of the League Cup at the semi-final stage by Tottenham six days ago, were lucky not to go behind when Preston striker Kevin Davies - a boyhood Blades fan - chipped against the post after latching on to Chris Basham's weak back header.

Preston arrived at Bramall Lane without a win in seven matches, and might have been forgiven if their confidence had dipped after conceding a soft goal seven minutes before the break.

Murphy, who signed a new Sheffield United contract at the weekend, collected Michael Doyle's pass and rolled a shot under keeper Thorsten Stuckmann, who probably should have saved it.

North End's second-half fightback, though, was emphatic. Home keeper Mark Howard made a superb double save to stop Laird and Chris Humphrey shortly before on-loan Leicester forward Gallagher hit an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner on 63 minutes.

The visitors were in front six minutes later, as centre-back Huntington headed in Laird's corner for his second goal in two matches.

Clough, who reverted to the side that ran Tottenham close last Wednesday after making 10 changes for Saturday's 2-0 League One victory over Swindon, was unable to inspire a revival in a side playing their 40th game of the season.

And Gallagher made sure of the win in the 73rd minute by drilling a penalty into the corner of the net after Humphrey was tripped.

Preston manager Simon Grayson:

"It's been a disappointing few weeks for us but tonight is an excellent result. There was a massive incentive tonight to play Manchester United, and it brought out the best in us.

"We had to be focused tonight, because we know how good Sheffield United are. They have done fantastically well in the cups. We had to be at it, and from the first whistle we were really good and dominated, and they scored against the run of play. We kept our belief going.

"It's a massive result, and there was a massive carrot for us. Forget Manchester United, we just wanted to get back to winning ways. This result can hopefully now galvanise our league form."

Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough:

"I'm bitterly disappointed. For Manchester United, the biggest club in the country, to come to town as a League One club was a massive incentive.

"But we didn't play like that was the carrot at the end of the tie.

"Maybe we thought the tie was over when we brought them back here but that is never the case against a team like Preston.

"They thoroughly deserved their victory."