FA Cup round-up: Browne on mark for Preston, Long fires Reading

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne wrapped up a 3-1 victory for Preston North End, who secured their spot in the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2018 thanks to a win over Huddersfield at Deepdale.

The contest was brought to life by two quickfire scrappy goals just before the hour mark.

Preston failed to clear their lines from a routine corner and Sorba Thomas again showed his prowess from out wide as his drilled cross was slammed home by debutant Florian Kamberi.

That setback stirred Preston into immediate action as Ben Woodburn's teasing cross into the box bounced off Huddersfield skipper Tom Lees for a bizarre own goal equaliser.

Just as the game looked set to drift off to a draw, and a replay in West Yorkshire, Bambo Diaby showed his talents in the opposition box for Preston.

A deep free-kick was not dealt with by the Huddersfield defence and Diaby kept his composure to smash an unstoppable volley home in the 73rd minute.

Huddersfield's chances of another win on the road at Deepdale ended five minutes from time when Browne pounced on some slack defending by Kaine Kesler-Hayden to force home a low cross and wrap up Preston's place in the next round.

A severely depleted Watford side made a tame exit when they lost 2-0 at fellow Sky Bet Championship play-off chasers Reading, for whom Shane Long was on target.

Watford showed little in a scrappy first half, with Reading going ahead in stoppage time direct from a Kelvin Abrefa cross that evaded goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

Reading dominated much of the second period and sealed the victory late on - again in stoppage time - when Long scampered clear to slot home.

Kelechi Iheanacho extended his fine FA Cup record by firing Leicester into the fourth round with the