North End progressed to the third round of the Youth Alliance Cup after 2-0 derby day success over Blackpool.

Goals from Matthew Mainwaring and Mike Aspin either side of the break ensured that Preston will be in the draw for the next round at the expense of their nearest rivals.

On a day where the Blackpool weather was a disruptive force throughout, both teams struggled to find their rhythm and it soon became clear that it could take just one moment of quality to seal the game.

Coach Jamie Hoyland said:

"Obviously the conditions dictated a lot of the game but the players did exactly what we set out to do.

"It was a battling performance and we won a lot of second balls, which was important in a game like this.

"Blackpool, like us, do like to play football but when it gets as blustery as it did today you just can't do it as much as you would like.

"But it's vital that when you do get the opportunity to get the ball down and play you really take advantage, which I thought we did.

"We just showed a little bit of quality at the right times so I'm really pleased."

In a tight opening period, Hoyland's men managed to take the initiative and create a number of half chances. A succession of crosses from right-back Aspin caused some panic in the Blackpool box but the home side were able to clear.

With 43 minutes gone, a Matthew Mainwaring free kick fell to Phil Appiah who could only fire over from 18 yards.

But just two minutes later Aspin again found space to cross and this time Mainwaring was in the right place to volley home at the far post to send his side into the half-time break 1-0 ahead.

The Preston defence had some work to do early in the second half but were more than up to the task with a particularly commanding performance from Mark Bloxam.

With the worst of the weather passed, North End began to stamp some authority on the game and always looked likely to emerge as the winners of this Cup tie.

Striker Ash Higgins troubled the home defence throughout and his persistence paid off with ten minutes to go. After winning possession inside the Blackpool area Higgins was able to provide a telling cross and as the home defence struggled to clear, Aspin popped up to take full advantage and make it 2-0.

Preston were lucky not to concede soon after as the home side saw their best chance rebound off the crossbar.

Speaking after the game, Bloxam said:

"I thought we played well today. It was a battling performance and we showed a lot of grit and determination.

"The weather made it really difficult for us to get the ball down and play but at the end of the day we won the game and are in the next round of the cup, which is what matters."

After this performance, PNE still have some way to go to reach the final but the centre-back is confident:

"We got to the final a couple of years ago and there's no reason why we can't go all the way this season," was his bold assessment.

His coach was less confident of cup final glory but recognises the positive effects a long cup run can have:

"We'll wait for the draw and see who we get in the next round and go from there," added Hoyland.

"It wont be the be all and the end all if we get knocked out but it's good for the players to see how far they can go.

"Like I've said the most important thing is the development of the players and getting them into the reserve squad but the team would love to go on and win the cup."

Given the unfavourable conditions, North End were able to display enough quality to see off Blackpool and impress Hoyland who recognised a number of vital contributions:

"I thought that the two midfield players Nathan Fairhurst and Phil Appiah did well," he summised. "They had to scrap and do the horrible jobs while Matty's finish for the first goal was superb because you see a lot of those go over the bar but he waited and waited and showed great technique."

North End's U18s continue their League programme with an away fixture at Oldham on Saturday December 1^st.

PNE: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Ray Shearwood, Phil Appiah, Mark Bloxam, Dominic Collins, Danny Mayor, Nathan Fairhurst, Michael Conchie (sub Tom Smyth 62), Ash Higgins, Matthew Mainwaring.

Goals: Matthew Mainwaring (44), Mike Aspin (80)

Bookings: Ray Shearwood

By Tom Hyde