Heartbreak for plucky Preston

Preston 0 Portsmouth 1

David James continued his outstanding form today with a second-half penalty save before Preston midfielder Darren Carter scored an injury-time own-goal to guide Portsmouth fortuitously into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

North End lie fourth from bottom in the Coca-Cola Championship but they belied their lowly status with a vibrant display and the award of a 60th-minute spot-kick put them on course for a famous victory.

But James flung his 6ft 5in frame to his right to deny Preston midfielder Simon Whaley from 12 yards - and Carter compounded the misery among home supporters when he bundled the ball into his own net late on.

James excelled throughout and fine second-half saves from Chris Brown and substitute Neil Mellor further enhanced his claims to remain as England's number one goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.