Match ends, Preston North End 1, Sheffield United 1.
PrestonPreston North End1Sheff UtdSheffield United1
Diego De Girolamo scored his first goal for Sheffield United as last season's FA Cup semi-finalists earned a fourth-round replay with Preston.
Italy under-20 international De Girolamo fired home left-footed from eight yards on 68 minutes after a neat cutback from substitute Jamie Murphy.
North End had earlier taken the lead through Paul Gallagher, when he fired home a brilliant 30-yard free-kick.
Gallagher had scored twice to help defeat Norwich in the last round.
After going ahead on 19 minutes, Preston had a great chance to double their advantage.
Kyel Reid's cross from the left picked out Neil Kilkenny, but from six yards out he opted to knock the ball across goal rather than shoot.
United, who face Tottenham in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday, almost levelled after 53 minutes but De Girolamo saw his effort cleared off the line by Calum Woods.
But Nigel Clough's side earned a replay when the striker netted shortly afterwards.
Preston boss Simon Grayson:
"It was a typical cup tie, end-to-end with both teams trying to win it. It does mean another game but both teams will be happy to be in the hat for the next round on Monday.
"Winning matches breeds confidence. I think if you ask players, they will not mind playing Saturday-Tuesday."
Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough:
"It is about building momentum. We believe success in all competitions goes hand-in-hand. We don't like losing, we fight and scrap and we deserved our goal today.
"It is another midweek we have filled with the replay in the League Cup, we came here today, we did not want to get knocked out."
Line-ups
Preston
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Stuckmann
- 15Woods
- 5Clarke
- 23Huntington
- 16Buchanan
- 19WelshSubstituted forDaviesat 74'minutes
- 8KilkennySubstituted forKingat 62'minutes
- 7Humphrey
- 12GallagherBooked at 90mins
- 17ReidSubstituted forBrowneat 85'minutes
- 40Ebanks-Blake
Substitutes
- 3Laird
- 4Wiseman
- 9Davies
- 22King
- 30Brownhill
- 31Browne
- 35Hudson
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Howard
- 2Alcock
- 17McGahey
- 27KennedyBooked at 67mins
- 16DaviesSubstituted forHarrisat 82'minutes
- 28DimaioSubstituted forMurphyat 56'minutes
- 6Basham
- 23De GirolamoSubstituted forMcNultyat 78'minutes
- 22ReedBooked at 89mins
- 11BaxterBooked at 81mins
- 21Higdon
Substitutes
- 3Harris
- 8Doyle
- 9Murphy
- 10Scougall
- 12McNulty
- 20Campbell-Ryce
- 25Long
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 10,770
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamSheff Utd
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away18
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 1, Sheffield United 1.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Calum Woods.
Booking
Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Craig Alcock.
Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Huntington (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Booking
Louis Reed (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Louis Reed (Sheffield United).
Post update
Foul by Kevin Davies (Preston North End).
Post update
Terry Kennedy (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Alan Browne replaces Kyel Reid.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Robert Harris replaces Ben Davies.
Post update
Foul by Kevin Davies (Preston North End).
Post update
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Jose Baxter (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Calum Woods (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Louis Reed (Sheffield United).
Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
