Preston North End under 18s progressed to the next round of the FA Youth Cup after overcoming a West Bromwich Albion side that boasts Academy status.

After taking an early lead through Matty Mainwaring, North End were pegged back to 1-1 before two goals in quick succession from Nathan Fairhurst and Arran McCarthy proved to be enough for the victory.

A bright start for the home side saw them threaten the Albion goal twice in the opening minutes. Successive free-kicks from Mainwaring provided an early test for the visiting side.

It was Preston who made the early running with both Ash Higgins and Mainwaring going close from distance.

With twenty minutes gone Mike Aspin and Danny Mayor linked well to set up Tom Smyth whose deft flick was gathered comfortably by Albion goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

As the half wore on, the visitors soon found their feet and twice North End goalkeeper Chris Thompson was called upon to keep the scores level.

But North End continued to dominate and stepped up a gear in search of the breakthrough goal with Mayor and Mainwaring a constant threat for the visiting defence.

So with 36 minutes gone it came as no surprise that some clever wide play created the opening goal. Again Mayor and Aspin combined before the right back was brought down in the box.

The referee showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty kick and Matty Mainwaring stepped up to give his side a deserved lead going into half-time.

At the break West Brom signalled their intention to recover the deficit with two substitutions. The tactical switch soon paid off as the visitors drew level. After goalkeeper Thompson had saved one effort low to his left and a second was scrambled off the line, substitute Romaine Sawyers was on hand to finish into an empty net.

Then just as Albion seemed to have stolen the initiative, the home side found themselves back in front. A moment of brilliance from captain Nathan Fairhurst, who 25 yards from goal and appearing to pose no threat to the Albion goal provided a delicate right footed shot that lobbed into the far corner.

Back in front and North End were once again the more comfortable of the two teams and just minutes later their lead was extended to 3-1. Chris Rogers picked out substitute Arran McCarthy in space on the edge of the area and his deflected shot was enough to beat Allsop in the Albion goal.

With the clock ticking West Brom threw men forward in an attempt to rescue their cup ambitions. But the North End defence proved to be too strong as they were able to see out the remainder of the game with relative ease.

This impressive victory puts Preston North End into the fourth round of the competition where they will face either Birmingham City or Huddersfield Town.

PNE: Chris Thompson, Michael Aspin, Chris Rogers, Phil Appiah (sub Tom McMahon), Mark Bloxam, Ray Shearwood, Danny Mayor, Nathan Fairhurst, Tom Smyth (sub Arran McCarthy), Ash Higgins (sub Michael Conchie), Matty Mainwaring. Subs not used: Jack Cudworth, Adam Barton.

West Brom: Ryan Allsop, Scott Mason, James Hancox (sub James Hurst 46), Joss Labadie, Matthew Pike, Ashley Holmes, Joshua Knight (sub Lateef Alliyu 70), Anthony Bruce (sub Romaine Sawyers 46), Stefan Morrison, Ricky Nicholls, David Worrall. Subs not used: Mo Saied, Daniel Lloyd-Weston.

By Tom Hyde