Callum Robinson scored a hat-trick as Preston North End booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup by claiming a 3-0 victory against Conference South outfit Havant & Waterlooville this evening.
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The League One side needed just seven minutes to take the lead, as Robinson raced onto Paul Huntington's pass and cut inside, before squeezing a low effort past goalkeeper Ryan Young at his near post.
JJ Hooper had a long-range effort saved and Brian Stock fired just wide as the hosts responded brightly to falling behind.
However, Preston showed the difference in class between the teams by grabbing a second goal on the half-hour mark, when Robinson made a run to the front post and volleyed in Paul Gallagher's cross.
Brian Dutton almost pulled a goal back for Havant minutes later, but after meeting Ben Swallow's free kick, his downwards header bounced onto the post.
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As the game approached the hour mark, the home side's chances of getting back into the game suffered a blow as Stock was sent off for his second caution of the night.
It got even worse for Havant as they were reduced to nine men following Warren Cummings's dismissal for handling the ball on the line.
From the resulting penalty kick, Robinson stepped up and made no mistake by firing the ball past Young to seal a comfortable win.
Preston will now face the winners of Walsall and Shrewsbury Town's first-round replay.
Alex Meyers
