PNE Chief Executive Tony Scholes has paid homage to Preston's loyal fans on the eve of another trek across the country.

Preston travel to Plymouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup and if there is one thing fans have become used to, it's travelling.

The Christmas fixtures became a bit of a nightmare for fans, with many fans spending whole days driving just to watch their team play.

Wrexham, Cardiff and now Plymouth is the space of a fortnight is enough to test the loyalties of even the most ardent fan, says Tony Scholes.

He said: "We couldn't ask for better fans. They have stuck by us, especially away from home and they been asked to travel some distances.

"All we can do is say thankyou. We have been surprised this season and not just away from home.

"Our 16,000-plus gate against Bristol Rovers over Christmas was phenomenal."

Because North End's fixture with Oxford, due to played this weekend at Deepdale, has been moved because of the FA Cup, North End only have one home game in the league this month, on January 22 against Wycombe.

However, fans craving for action from Deepdale have been boosted by the news that the other home game, Monday's Autowindscreen tie against Hartlepool, will cost just £5 to get into the ground.

Tony added: "We hope this will attract a bigger crowd. It is also a way of saying thankyou."

The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

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