WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1 PRESTON NORTH end 5

Horgan (og, 45) Harrop (2, 85), Browne (38, pen 78), Horgan (50)

Preston boss Alex Neil was impressed with the quality of his side’s goals after they put Wycombe to the sword.

Two divisions separate the two clubs and the gulf in class showed at Adams Park as the Lilywhites, in good form in the Championship, controlled proceedings from start to finish.

Neil said: “Whenever you come away to any lower-league opposition, the first thing you’re going to have to do is match them for effort. We did that and what we’ve got is some real quality players within our group and I thought that shone and came through.

“I thought the standard of some of the goals was excellent.

“The only disappointment in the game, really, is that Calum Woods has hurt his hamstring and we’re devastated for him.”

Preston led inside two minutes when Harrop bent a brilliant free-kick into the top corner and Browne produced an equally spectacular strike with a superb half-volley.

Daryl Horgan’s own goal from Luke O’Nien’s cross gave Wycombe a lifeline right on half-time, but the winger made amends by forcing Will De Havilland to score into his own net.

Browne then smashed in his second from the penalty spot before Harrop completed the rout with a good header from Cunningham’s cross.

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said: “The upset went out of the window in the first minute and we were outdone by a much better team today.

“Fair play to Alex Neil, he’s got his team working really well.

“It’s the best Preston team I’ve seen for a long, long time and I think they’ve got a real chance this year of making the play-offs.

“I think it shows the gulf in class between the leagues – we’re playing one of the form teams of the Championship and it really did tell.

“They were excellent today.”