Preston proved they are more than a one-man team with a well-deserved victory over Reading in the FA Cup third-round replay at the Madejski Stadium.

Despite missing 17-goal Ricardo Fuller, North End booked a trip to Swansea in the fourth round courtesy of timely strikes in either half from Richard Cresswell - his first in 19 games - and George Koumantarakis, who had not scored since March.

Koumantarakis' performance up front - Reading struggled to cope with his physical presence all evening - not only ended a personal injury nightmare but underlined why manager Craig Brown went to such lengths to prevent him from joining up with the South Africa squad for the forthcoming African Nations Cup.

Though Cresswell was denied by the woodwork in the second half and Shaun Goater netted late on for Reading, Preston's impressive display ensured the result went according to the form book.

Victory here extended their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions, while Reading manager Steve Coppell is left to reflect on his side's failure to win in seven matches.

Both goalkeepers were tested in the opening couple of minutes, Preston's Jonathan Gould saving comfortably from Ivar Ingimarsson after Scott Murray's corner was only partially cleared, and Cresswell testing Marcus Hahnemann at the other end of the pitch.

Preston may have enjoyed the majority of possession early on, but it was Reading who went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute when Ricky Newman sent a curling effort only inches over the crossbar.

Paul McKenna's aim let him down after Koumantarakis chested the ball into his path, while Graham Alexander's left-footed strike forced Hahnemann into a smart stop.

In between those efforts James Harper volleyed wide following Gould's flap at an Andy Hughes cross, a miss which was punished by Cresswell in the 28th minute.

Dickson Etuhu won the ball on the halfway line before feeding Koumantarakis. His shot was deflected into the path of Cresswell, who cut inside on to his right foot and found the top corner of Hahnemann's goal with an exquisite curler.

Reading were fortunate not to fall two behind shortly afterwards when David Healy's lob landed on the roof of the net.

Their relief did not extend long into the second half, Koumantarakis doubling Preston's advantage from close range within two minutes of the restart after Michael Keane had crossed from the left.

Reading responded almost immediately through Dean Morgan, whose 25-yard attempt was tipped onto the crossbar by Gould, while Goater shot wide when well placed.

Keane beat Hahnemann, only to see his effort cleared off the line, and Alexander crossed for Cresswell to head against the post.

Goater atoned for another miss when he pulled a goal back for Reading six minutes from time, showing commendable composure to beat Gould with a deft finish.

Teams

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Murray, Hughes (Salako 73), Harper (Watson 55), Newman (Sidwell 55), Morgan, Goater.

Subs Not Used: Savage, Young.

Goals: Goater 84.

Preston: Gould, O'Neil, Edwards, Mears, Alexander, Etuhu, McKenna, Keane, Healy, Cresswell, Koumantarakis (Abbott 67).

Subs Not Used: Cartwright, Lonergan, Skora, McCormack.

Goals: Cresswell 28, Koumantarakis 47.

Att: 9,314

Ref: E L Ilderton (England).