Preston earn another shot

The goals came in the opening spell of a tough cup tie at Blairmount Park, but the sides will have to fight it out again next Saturday.

Newton were shocked when Preston got an eight-minute penalty but Stuart Miller fired home the spot-kick.

Two minutes later, Preston had another penalty claim turned down and it looked even more obvious than the first.

But Newton came back and Stewart Beggs sent over a corner in the 12th minute which Sean Taylor powered into the net for the equaliser. Beggs had a chance with a 54th-minute shot and Miller had a header off the bar as Preston went all out in the dying minutes.

Preston came away strongly in the second half and had a number of chances but just couldn't find the net.

Now they must feel confident of disposing of the middle-of-the-league South side when they face them at home.

Stevie Myatt, the Preston manager, said: "We missed so many chances, some of them were criminal. We are just not playing well but we are still in the Scottish Cup."

Preston Athletic: Gilpin, Barton, Lee, McCaul, Scott, McAuley, Lothian, Collins, Miller, Pagliarulo, Laidlaw. Subs: McColl, Leighfield, Houston, Thomson.

Newton Stewart 1

Preston Athletic 1