Grayson relieved to progress

The teams were locked together at 2-2 after 90 minutes but North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann converted the decisive spot-kick.

Preston had taken a 32nd-minute lead through Scott Laird, who dived to head in Tom Clarke's excellent cross.

But Oldham levelled moments after half-time when Jonathan Forte set up Dominic Poleon to drill home from close range.

The Latics went in front after 59 minutes as Danny Philliskirk found the bottom corner only for Preston to level 10 minutes from time when Clarke bundled in from a yard.

In the shoot-out, all 22 players took a penalty before it became a head-to-head battle between the goalkeepers - Oldham's Philippines international Neil Etheridge fired over but German-born Stuckmann kept his nerve.

Grayson said: "It was a good game between two sides who wanted to win and it's no surprise that a German won the penalty shoot-out.

"It's a lottery at that stage but both teams took their penalties really well and only one outfield player missed from each side.

"It added to the excitement but I'm very pleased we are through because we want to get to Wembley if possible.

"Oldham had a right go at us in the second half. They are a good team who zip the ball around with purpose but we got there in the end.

"In the first half we controlled it and didn't look in any trouble whatsoever but they changed their system and caused us a few problems.

"I was disappointed we conceded straight after half-time and there were other aspects we need to work on but after we got to grips with Oldham we created chances to win the game in 90 minutes."

Oldham manager Lee Johnson refused to blame Etheridge, who was making his debut, for the eventual defeat.

He said: "It's a double lottery once you get down to the goalkeepers taking penalties.

"I'm disappointed to go out of the competition but the biggest problem was the way we started the game.

"It was so poor in the first half and, although we were poor as a team, the lads who came into the side didn't do themselves any favours.

"It was very risky for me to use all three substitutions at half-time but we had to be brave and the changes were effective.

"In the second half we were really excellent. We took the game to them, moved the ball quicker and had a much better tempo.

"Preston seem to be our nemesis at the moment but we don't have their resources and we will catch them up. There are certainly a lot of positives to take from the game but not from the first half."