FA Cup fourth round: Simon Grayson not keen on replay with Sheffield United after draw at Deepdale

Preston North End boss Simon Grayson admitted it is unfortunate his side have to play a replay against Sheffield United after the 1-1 FA Cup fourth-round draw on Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through Paul Gallagher’s 19th-minute free-kick but Diego De Girolamo equalised for the Blades midway through the second half to force a replay at Bramall Lane early next month.

"There was a lot at stake with both teams wanting to get into the next round who both know each other very well,” Grayson told the club's website.

“Unfortunately we’ve added another game to the schedule, but you’d rather still be in the Cup on Monday night then out of it. 

“Overall, there was some good performances - it was a real cup tie in terms of tackles, and blocks - it had everything to be fair, and it was a great game for everybody to watch.     

 “We started the game extremely well – we were on the front foot, passed the ball well and caused them all sorts of problems.” 

Nigel Clough made made eight changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Tottenham in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi final, and he praised those who came in.

"We've got a tight-knit squad, everyone trains together, and you hope everyone can come in and do a job," he told the club's website.

"Quite a few came in from the academy and it's a great statement about where we are as a club.

"The aim at the start of the day was to be in the competition at 5pm. Having gone 1-0 down early on we fought back brilliantly in the second half.

"We thought we'd have a better chance of getting a result with a fresh team."