FOR the first and last 20 minutes of this match North End played some good football and could easily have won this Bill Shankly tournament match with better finishing.

But City knocked in three goals and it was alwaysgoing to be difficult for PNE. Macken played a lovely ball to Nogan on the right side of goal, City were all over the place but with players queuing up in the goalmouth Nogan shot wide.

Julian Darby brought a fine save from Weaver at full stretch and City were rattled.

Preston took a breather, they let City into the match and lack of concentration allowed Sean Goater to open the scoring.

Manchester went 2-0 up just after half-time when Edgehill gave Moilanen no chance from eight yards and City looked to have it all sewn up on the hour when Tskhadadze crashed in a third with a scorching volley.

Preston hit back immediately with a goal from Jason Harris and six minutes from time Paul McKenna pulled the score back to 3-2.

North End came at City trying for an equaliser, but the defence held firm and Manchester City went on to the final against Tranmere Rovers.

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