Preston North End 2-2 Salford City (4-2 pens): Salford win shootout to knock-out Preston

Preston came from behind against Salford to take the game to penalties but were defeated in the shootout

Mads Frokjaer missed the decisive spot kick as Preston North End were beaten on penalties to crash out of the Carabao Cup to League Two side Salford.

Connor McLennan's double gave Salford a 2-0 lead but goals from Ben Woodburn and Duane Holmes drew North End level and the tie finished 2-2.

Ryan Ledson was wide with North End's first penalty before Salford scored four in a row.

Frokjaer was left needing to score to keep the shootout alive but he fired his effort over the bar.

Preston made eight changes from Saturday's 1-1 Championship draw at Bristol City and were quickly struggling at Deepdale.

Luke Bolton crossed for McLennan, whose first shot was blocked but second effort found the top corner, to give Salford the lead.

McLennan scored his second with a left-foot finish into the bottom corner as the League Two side sensed an upset.

But the two-goal lead didn't last long. Just before the break Holmes slid a pass through the defence for Woodburn to finish and strike back for North End.

And five minutes into the second half the Championship side levelled as Holmes picked up Alex Cairns' pass, fought off a defender and slotted home.

Will Keane thought he had completed the comeback for North End as he flicked in a fine header from Kian Best's cross but the offside flag denied him.

Salford might also have won the tie in normal time as a back post header fell to Matty Lund eight yards out but he scuffed his shot wide.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"The first half wasn't what we wanted. I know we've got a few youngsters in there, and there's no blame on them - we've got seniors in there as well.

"The second half was better after we made a couple of changes and probably should have had a couple more goals.

"We're disappointed going out of the competition but our number one priority is the Championship.

"Taking nothing away from them, they were good, especially first half, and dealt well with some pressure of ours. They were excellent and we just weren't at it."

Salford manager Neil Wood told BBC Radio Manchester:

"We wanted to try and follow up from Saturday and it was a game we knew we could win.

"By the end of the game they had a pretty good team on the pitch and caused us plenty of problems.

"Connor took his goals really well but conceding just before half-time was a killer.

"Second half we had some good moments but were masters of our own downfall with some mistakes and we don't need to concede that second goal in the way we conceded it."