Chelsea are just three wins from repeating their 1997 and 2000 FA Cup triumphs after deadly duo Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen took their joint goals tally for the season to 42 to overcome plucky Preston.

The prolific pair bagged a goal apiece as the Blues came from behind to secure a 3-1 fifth-round victory over the First Division promotion chasers and clinch their place in the quarter-finals.

North End had taken a surprise ninth-minute lead when Richard Cresswell soared above the home defence to nod home a hopeful Graham Alexander free-kick.

But Claudio Ranieri's men were level inside seven minutes as Hasselbaink raced clear of the visitors' defence and squared for Gudjohnsen to roll the ball into an empty net for his 18th and easiest goal of the season.

The Icelander linked up with Hasselbaink for a smart one-two after 25 minutes and the Dutchman slammed home his 24th goal of the campaign, and the 50th of his Chelsea career, from 14 yards.

The second half was a much quieter affair, with both sides continuing to push forwards at every opportunity, although Chelsea's through-balls were often cut out by Tepi Moilanen's dashes from goal and Preston's attacks frequently foundered on the linesman's flag.

Blues sub Mikael Forssell wrapped up victory when he brilliantly skipped round two players and curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner in stoppage time.

Ranieri had named midfielder Emmanuel Petit as an emergency centre-back alongside his French international colleague Marcel Desailly as John Terry (foot), William Gallas (ankle) and Mario Melchiot (suspended) were all ruled out. Blues full-back Celestine Babayaro started his first match since returning from African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria.

For David Moyes' men, midfielder Paul McKenna returned after his troublesome toe injury but the inspirational Dickson Etuhu was banned.

Preston made a confident start and stole a shock lead in the ninth minute. Alexander curled a tame left-wing free-kick into the Blues' penalty area and Cresswell rose above Babayaro's non-existent challenge to nod the ball home at the far post.

Chelsea's nightmare opening almost got worse three minutes later as Lee Cartwright crossed from the right flank and the defence again went AWOL. Macken side-footed goalwards from just five yards out but goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini made a brilliant block.

Eidur Gudjohnsen also fired wide from 18 yards and Preston pair Macken and Cresswell unleashed shots from distance.

And the Nationwide League team paid the price for allowing Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen too much space just after the quarter-hour mark.

Sam dalla Bona cleared a Preston raid with a clever lofted pass down the left flank. Hasselbaink raced onto it and calmly rolled the ball across goal in front of keeper Tepi Moilanen and strike-partner Gudjohnsen side-footed into an empty net.

Gudjohnsen turned from scorer to provider for Hasselbaink nine minutes later as Ranieri's side stormed into the lead.

Dutch ace Hasselbaink played a smart one-two with Gudjohnsen on the edge of the Preston penalty area and Hasselbaink raced into space behind the back four to plant the ball into the bottom corner for his 50th Blues goal.

Moilanen kept his side in the game after 32 minutes when he pulled off a fine block from close-range.

Frank Lampard combined with dalla Bona to waltz through the North End backline, but the Finnish international shot-stopper saved with his legs from the England midfielder.

The second period was much less eventful, although Hasselbaink did come close to cracking his side's third goal with a powerful free-kick after 67 minutes.

Moilanen dived to his left to push the Dutchman's long-range effort away from the bottom corner.

Cudicini had to make a sensational save in the last minute from Macken's close-range header and the Blues immediately embarked on a lightning-quick breakaway that culminated in a great third goal.

Sub Joe Keenan played a crossfield ball to fellow replacement Forssell, who brilliantly skipped round two players and curled a delightful shot into the bottom corner.

Teams:

Chelsea: Cudicini, Desailly (Morris 69), Petit, Babayaro, Stanic, Dalla Bona, Lampard, Zola (Keenan 86), Le Saux, Gudjohnsen (Forssell 76), Hasselbaink.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Jokanovic.

Booked: Hasselbaink, Stanic, Petit.

Goals: Gudjohnsen 16, Hasselbaink 26, Forssell 90.

Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Gregan, Lucketti, Edwards, Cartwright (Gudjonsson 82), Cresswell, Keane, Anderson (Healy 64), McKenna, Macken.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Eaton, Skora.

Booked: Cresswell, Gregan.

Goals: Cresswell 9.

Att: 28,133

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).