How the Irish fared: Alan Browne joy at ending goal drought

Alan Browne ended four months of frustration in front of goal by scoring a superb volley as Preston marched into the fourth round of the FA Cup by hammering Wycombe Wanderers 5-1 on Saturday.

He grabbed a second from the penalty spot in the second half on an afternoon that Irish team-mate Daryl Horgan also netted.

“I haven’t scored for a while and so to get back on the scoresheet was a great feeling,” Browne said. “I would have taken any goal but to score like that (volley) made it that extra bit special and to put away the pen as well, it gives me a big confidence boost.

“DJ (Daniel Johnston) is probably the designated penalty taker but obviously he wasn’t on the pitch at the time, I was arguing with Robbo (Callum Robinson) yesterday about who would take it and the second I got my hands on it I wasn’t giving it to him. I think it could have gone either way, me or him but it was just good to put it away and that’s what’s important.”

Paying tribute to Browne, Preston boss Alex Neil said: “He needs to add that to his game and the quality of that first finish is excellent.”

There was also double delight for Aiden O’Brien as his brace inspired Millwall to a 4-1 victory at home to Barnsley.

Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “I was delighted for Aiden. To get a couple today will do his confidence a world of good.”

Brentford were victims of one of the weekend’s biggest giantkillings, losing 1-0 at home to Notts County but there was one layer of sunshine as Alan Judge made his first appearance 637 days after breaking his leg. Judge came on for the final 20 minutes but wasn’t able to rescue the Bees.

In League One. John-Joe O’Toole scored in Northampton’s 3-1 win over Southend while Graham Carey was on the mark in Plymouth’s 3-0 win over Bury.