Paul Hayes netted a brace as five-star Preston ran out easy winners over Stockport at Edgeley Park.
North End hit five past Hatters at Edgeley Park
Paul Hayes netted a brace as five-star Preston ran out easy winners over Stockport at Edgeley Park.
A dominant second-half performance saw the Championship outfit put their League Two opposition to the sword and progress into the second round of the Carling Cup.
After Greg Tansey went close early on for Stockport, the visitors responded with Paul Parry side-footing over from 12 yards and then Hayes being denied by a smart Owain fon Williams save.
But Preston went in front on the stroke of half-time when Stockport full-back Andy Halls tripped Danny Mayor in the box and North End skipper Callum Davidson made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Preston's on-loan midfielder Matty James made it 2-0 after 58 minutes when he volleyed home a neat individual goal.
Nine minutes later the lead was extended when Hayes slotted home another penalty after Danny Swailes had bundled over Chris Brown.
Hayes then doubled his tally in the 73rd minute with a close-range finish after superb work down the right from substitute Josh King.
Teenager King helped himself to the fifth goal courtesy of a cool finish a minute from time.
