Half-Time Report: Shaun MacDonald heads Bournemouth in front at Preston North End

Shaun MacDonald's 23rd-minute header has put Bournemouth ahead in their League Cup third round tie against Championship strugglers Preston North End.

The Lilywhites, who scored after 33 seconds of their defeat at Brentford on Saturday, almost netted another early goal as Will Keane fired over the bar.

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Bournemouth, facing Preston in the League Cup for the first time, went close to breaking the deadlock themselves on seven minutes after Junior Stanislas fashioned space to shoot on the left side of the area, but struck his effort across the face of Jordan Pickford's goal.

Moments later, Daniel Johnson wasted another opening for the home side as he failed to hit the target before Joshua King brought a save out of Pickford.

However, it was the Cherries who took the lead midway through the first half as MacDonald headed home from close range.

Minutes before the interval, Stevie May, leading the Preston in the absence of Joe Garner and Eoin Doyle, tried to bring his side level, but saw his effort drift wide of Adam Federici's goal.