PRESTON skipper Sean Gregan admitted his manager went 'off his head' at half time -- but it did the trick as North End spared their blushes to record a 3-2 extra-time victory over Kidderminster in the first round of the Worthington Cup.

By the interval, North End looked down and out, trailing the Third Division newcomers by two goals.

Tony Bird did the damage, running through a static Preston defence to slot home the opener in the 16th minute before getting on the end of a cross on 37 minutes.

The First Division side looked like they may continue their disappointing start to the season despite David Healy and Gregan both going close.

But the rollocking at the break worked wonders as Preston pressed and got their rewards when Jon Macken got the ball on the edge of the area and drilled it into the corner of the net on 77 minutes.

Iain Anderson then came close to grabbing an equaliser but it was new boy Kevin Gallacher who made one count on 81 minutes.

Macken produced a good save from the Kidderminster keeper but the Rovers old boy was there to fire home the equaliser -- the referee saying the shot had crossed the line much to manager David Moyes' relief.

There seemed only one winner in extra-time and central defender Michael Jackson -- who could be fighting for his place if the deal to bring his former Bury team-mate Chris Lucketti to the club goes through this week -- netted a vital morale boosting winner. His header from a Graham Alexander corner made sure their were no upsets for Preston.

North End are still having talks with Huddersfield defender Lucketti. The two clubs have agreed a fee but discussions are still ongoing. If the signing is completed today, the 29-year-old could go straight into the side for Saturday's match at Grimsby. Brett hat-trick FORMER Accrington Stanley striker Brett Ormerod scored a hat-trick as Blackpool ran out 3-2 winners over Wigan in the first round of the Worthington Cup. BLASTED: Sean Gregan