Fuller’s brace does trick for Preston

STRIKER Ricardo Fuller was the hero for Preston last night as he scored twice to condemn Leicester to their third Division One defeat of the season.

The Foxes arrived at Deepdale on the back of a six-game unbeaten run and looking to close the gap on leaders Portsmouth to four points - but it was the home side who dominated and deserved their win.

Fuller had spurned numerous chances in a one-sided first half. But he netted his 10th goal of an impressive season just three minutes after the restart and added his second with a well-taken strike at the death.

High-flying Reading climbed into fourth place in Division One with their fifth straight victory, at Crystal Palace.

Palace had suffered just one league defeat in 11 matches themselves going into this clash but were undone by a classic smash-and-grab by Alan Pardew’s well-drilled outfit.

Reading scored from their only clear-cut chance of a lacklustre first half, Nicky Forster breaking the deadlock with a low shot from 18 yards six minutes before the break.

Nationwide Conference side Margate sprang an FA Cup shock by beating Leyton Orient 1-0 at Dover’s Crabble ground last night. The winner in their first-round replay came from Sierra Leone international John Keister, who blasted in a 51st-minute penalty after Sam Sodje had been fouled by Justin Miller.

Margate will face Second Division big-spenders Cardiff in round two after Lennie Lawrence’s side beat Tranmere 2-1 in a replay at Ninian Park. Tranmere went ahead when Mickey Mellon finished off a three-man move on the stroke of half-time.

But Cardiff equalised on the hour mark when former Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell capitalised on some poor defending. The Welsh side got their winner eight minutes later through James Collins, and things got even worse for Tranmere soon afterwards when goalkeeper John Achterberg was sent off for serious foul play.

There was heartbreak for Forest Green against Exeter at St James Park.

Former Grecians favourite Jon Richardson put the Conference side ahead (21), but Gareth Sheldon equalised four minutes later. With the Gloucestershire side pressing and time running out,

Exeter nicked a winner in the 85th minute courtesy of Matthew Lock.

Exeter will next host in-form Rushden & Diamonds, who extended their unbeaten run to seven matches as they saw off fellow Third Division side Kidderminster at Nene Park thanks to Wales youth international Robert Duffy’s 36th-minute strike and a second from Stuart Wardley (67). Drewe Broughton pulled one back for the Harriers after 72 minutes.