Graham Alexander's controversial penalty completed Preston's fightback and put North End into the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Sheffield United.

Alexander netted in the 70th minute after Robert Page was harshly adjudged to have deliberately handled a right-footed flick from super sub Richard Cresswell, who had levelled for the home side 18 minutes earlier.

Preston had gone behind to an early strike from Peter Ndlovu, before battling back to achieve their first FA Cup win over the Blades at the fifth attempt.

The defeat for United extends their woeful record at Deepdale where they last won in September 1955.

It had looked so much brighter for the visitors in the 14th minute when Ndlovu put them ahead with their first real attack of the game.

The former Coventry winger was left unmarked at the far post, half volleying into the top corner after home skipper Sean Gregan had inadvertently headed on Gus Uhlenbeek's long throw.

Ndlovu's goal brought an end to Preston's bright start.

The home side's first chance came when Wilk de Vogt mis-kicked Uhlenbeek's headed back pass straight to Steve Basham, but the forward fired wide from 30 yards with the United keeper struggling to get back to his goal.

Iain Anderson volleyed over from long range in eighth minute and moments later the Preston midfielder's free-kick from the left was headed weakly into the arms of de Vogt by Chris Lucketti.

The defender was left to rue the missed easy chance as Ndlovu put United in front soon after.

Buoyed by the goal, the Blades - who reached two FA Cup semi-finals in the 90s - continued to press forward with Michael Tonge causing problems for the home defence.

Midway through the half, the midfielder put a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide and a minute later he was felled in the box by Gregan - but only anindirect free-kick was awarded.

Preston, who were knocked out by United on replays in 1899 and 1936, began to threaten more and their most promising spell so far culminated with only a spectacular goal-line clearance from Page denying Michael Keane in the 31st minute.

Fresh from a likely half-time rollocking from manager David Moyes, Preston surged forward and were level seven minutes after the restart.

Cresswell, on for Steve Basham at half-time, ran on to fellow sub Macken's flick-on from a long ball to steer home the equaliser.

Preston should have gone ahead in the 61st minute, only for Keane to put a free header over the bar from 10 yards after more trickery from Anderson down the left.

The home side were dominant now with Cresswell shooting into the side-netting and Macken blasting over, both from inside the area.

Preston were rewarded for their pressure in the 70th minute, albeit in controversial fashion.

Alexander did not let the United protests put him off though as he confidently sidefooted the ball to the right of de Vogt.

Eight minutes later, Macken burst forward and held off the attentions of two visiting defenders, only to pull his shot across goal.

United were frustrated in their attempts to search for an equaliser, with Preston looking the more likely to grab another goal as the substitute strikeforce of Macken and Cresswell continued to threaten.

Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Lucketti, Murdock (Cartwright 10), Edwards, Skora (Macken 24), Gregan, Keane, Anderson, Basham (Cresswell 45), Healy.

Subs Not Used: Barry-Murphy, Lonergan.

Booked: Healy.

Goals: Cresswell 53, Alexander 71 pen.

Sheff Utd: de Vogt, Uhlenbeek, Sandford, Page, Ullathorne,Ford (Santos 88), Tonge, Brown, Asaba (Montgomery 73), D'Jaffo, Ndlovu.

Subs Not Used: Jagielka, Nicholson, Doane.

Booked: Asaba, D'Jaffo, Uhlenbeek.

Goals: Ndlovu 14.

Att: 13,068

Ref: A Bates (Stoke on Trent).