Michael Jackson scored an injury-time winner to put Preston into the third round of the Worthington Cup.

The central defender arrived at the far post to power home a free header from just six yards and end Macclesfield's hopes off pulling off a shock.

Macclesfield took the lead after seven minutes when the ball ricocheted off Marlon Broomes into the path of Matthew Tipton, who chipped the advancing David Lucas from a narrow angle.

Lucas was soon substituted for Tepi Moilanen, who was immediately in the action making a double save from close range to deny Tipton and then Chris Priest.

Preston equalised on the half-hour when home defender Danny Adams slipped trying to clear a simple Richard Cresswell cross, allowing Eric Skora to slide home on the half-volley.

Former Toulouse winger Iain Anderson looked dangerous for North End, going close with shots from the edge of the box either side of the break.

But it was the closing stages which brought the most drama.

Tipton hammered a drive over the crossbar for Macclesfield while Preston's American World Cup winger Eddie Lewis forced a sharp reaction save from Steve Wilson.

But Jackson had the last word when Macclesfield went to sleep in the box and allowed him to score the winner.

Macclesfield: Wilson, Tinson, Welch, O'Neill, Hitchen, Priest, Hardy, Whitaker, Adams, Lightbourne, Tipton. Subs: Martin, Askey, Abbey, Robinson, Carr.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti, Broomes, Skora, Etuhu, Rankine, Anderson, Healy, Cresswell. Subs: Moilanen, McKenna, Keane, Barry-Murphy, Lewis.

Referee: J Ross (London).