Preston suffered semi-final heartbreak in the Lancashire FA Youth Cup after losing 5-4 on penalties to Blackpool in a pulsating clash at Deepdale.

After the tie finished 2-2 through 90 minutes and then extra-time, the Tangerines completed the perfect set from the spot to cement their place in the final.

Following a goalless first half, the Seasiders scored twice in eight minutes - only to witness a terrific PNE fight-back which included a brace from Ashley Higgins.

Unfortunately for Higgins, he then unlucky placed his spot-kick wide in the fourth round of the shoot-out as their Lancashire counterparts progressed having scored all five of their kicks.

Director of Youth, Dean Ramsdale, spoke to PNE.Com after the game and said: "You're always disappointed when you go out on penalties but that's football.

"I thought we had lost the plot for ten minutes when we were 2-0 down but we showed great courage and determination so credit to our players who dug in when we looked like losing.

"That's what we have said all along that we want people to show desire and a will to win and we have seen that today.

"The guys worked their socks off and I think all our players will take something from the game."

Preston created the most chances in the first half as Danny Mayor and Mike Aspin continuously delivered crosses into the box.

Higgins had three opportunities during a five-minute spell, but his efforts was either off target or saved by the goalkeeper.

Phil Appiah, captain Nathan Fairhurst and Tom McMahon tried to find the opener but all their attempts sailed over the crossbar.

Blackpool's Dale Warburton broke the deadlock just three minutes after the interval.

Goalkeeper Jack Cudworth picked up the ball outside his area and Warburton capitalised, whipping the resulting free-kick from the edge of the box into the top right corner.

Dominic Collins and Ray Shearwood both got booked for dissent as they claimed the linesman had failed to rule for offside just before the set-piece.

The visitors then went on to double their lead. This time, Cudworth could do very little to stop Dominic Merella, who smashed the ball in on close range.

Arran McCarthy was introduced from the bench on 56 minutes, a move which proved to be tactically astute as the striker inspired his team to a comeback.

Blackpool had a great chance to increase the lead in a four-on-one situation but the strikers overplayed their opportunity.

Instead, Preston broke away and scored at the other end as Higgins header bounced off the bar and went in via goalkeeper Halstead.

Substitute McCarthy then had two good chances to score, first through a header and then following a well-timed cross from Mayor.

North End equalised 12 minutes from the end after Fairhurst won a free-kick in a dangerous position. Higgins reacted to the skipper's shot and slid the ball narrowly inside the far post.

Both keepers were tested in the final ten minutes but the the game went on to extra time.

The Lilywhites carved out the most chances in the first part of extra time. McCarthy had a couple of efforts that were saved by away keeper Mark Halstead and Mark Bloxam - who had come on for Tom Smyth - came close with a header.

Despite the efforts of both teams, there were no further goals and the tie had to be decided by spot-kicks.

Mike Aspin was the first man walking up to the spot and confidently gave PNE the lead.

Ben Fishwick levelled before Matty Mainwaring placed his neat strike to the left of the keeper.

Blackpool's Alex Smith subsequently equalised, Fairhurst blasted the ball into the net and Danny Penswick did the same to make it 3-3.

The unfortunate Ashley Higgins placed the fourth kick wide as Merella scored his second for the night to give the Seasiders a 4-3 advantage.

Arran McCarthy tucked away the fifth but Steve Ralston made it the perfect set for Blackpool as they secured their place in the final.

PNE's goalkeeper Jack Cudworth told PNE.com of the huge disappointment but also highlighted the positives.

"We are all absolutely gutted because at 2-0 we were out of it and they were pushing and looked like they were going to go 3-0 up if anything but the team showed great character to come back.

"We have given it what we got and we are not coming off the pitch knowing we could have done that little bit better because every single lad has given 100%.

"Penalties is always a chance for a goalkeeper to be a hero but it's also a lottery - anyone can win it.I've had two penalties in open play this year and I have saved both but unfortunately I didn't save one tonight."

Cudworth was the only PNE-player who had never played at Deepdale and he confessed he was nervous at the start.

"It was a special game - derby, cup semi-final and my debut at Deepdale - I had jelly legs the first ten minutes and I was shaking but as the game went on I felt more comfortable.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for us tonight but we've got a game on Saturday so we are just going to regroup, look forward and have no regrets."

PNE: Cudworth, Aspin, Shearwood, Appiah (McCarthy 57), Smyth (Bloxam 92), Collins (A Barton 112), Mayor, Fairhurst, Higgins, Mainwaring, McMahon. (Unused subs: Rogers, Thompson.)

Blackpool: Halstead, Lloyd, Ralston, Penswick, Bayliss (capt), Laird, McKenna, Warburton, Merella, Hobbs, Smith. (Subs: Eastham, Fishwick, Newsham, Forshaw, Almond)

By Frida Larsson