PRESTON North End gave mighty Arsenal a scare at Highbury and the chances were there for North End to have won the match, writes Tom Parker.

Final score: (Arsenal 2, PNE 1)

On the hour mark, with the scores locked at 1-1 and with North End on top, a great chance to go in front in this Worthington Cup clash went begging.

First-half scorer Jon Macken chased the ball into the Arsenal box as David Seaman raced from his goal-line to challenge.

Macken got there first and played in a great ball into the six yard box to Mark Rankine.

Preston's travelling army of support rose to cheer what looked a goal as Rankine moved on to the cross but his first touch let him down, the ball moved away from his boot and Nigel Winterburn kicked the ball behind for a corner.

Arsenal immediately swept down the other end, won a corner and from it they clinched the match.

Marc Overmars kicked the ball into a packed area; it ran loose to Stefan Molz and from 16 yards he hit in a shot of not very much pace, but the ball found its way through a forest of legs and bodies to go into the far corner of the net. It was a cruel blow for Preston.

Arsenal had taken the lead when a mistake by Graham Alexander allowed the ball to go to Thierry Henry just inside the Preston half and he played a lovely ball through to release Kanu with a clear run on goal.

Kanu looked a good two yards offside, the video evidence later suggested that he was, but the linesman's flag stayed down and the giant Arsenal striker took the ball on, round Tepi Moilanen and smashed the ball high into the net to calm the Arsenal nerves.

Lesser teams would have buckled against the Premiership side who at one stage of the match had eight full internationals out on the park, but North End are made of sterner stuff and they hit back in very positive fashion.

Five minutes before half-time Preston got right back into the match with a goal from Macken.

There didn't appear to be a lot on when the ball was played to the edge of the area to Rankine, but he chested down to Alex Mathie and he put over a neat cross into the area.

In stormed Macken to hit a volley off his shin and the ball sailed high into the net, beating the backward leaping Seaman to send the Preston fans wild with delight.

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