It’s generally been smooth early progress for Preston in Carabao Cup

Not only are PNE two divisions above the Stags, they boast an impressive run of first-round form in the competition.

They’ve negotiated their way through the first round 12 times in the last 13 years.

As a tournament as a whole, North End have gone no further than the fifth round but getting through the early stages hasn’t proved a problem.

The exception to the rule in recent seasons was in 2017 when Accrington Stanley dumped the Lilywhites out at the first-round stage.

It was Alex Neil’s second competitive game in charge and he saw a much-changed side beaten 3-2 at the Crown Ground – Jordan Hugill scoring both PNE goals that night.

Neil has got it right since at the first-round stage, with North End beating Morecambe, Bradford and now Mansfield.

In recent years the most memorable first-round win was the 1-0 victory over Blackpool in August 2013.

North End’s meeting with Mansfield was one of four ties played last Saturday, the EFL granting permission for clubs to do so to avoid a clash with the international break.

The rest of the ties take place this weekend when Preston should learn their second-round opponents.

The second, third and fourth rounds are due to be played in successive midweeks this month.

Neil played a strong team last week, with him wanting to combine progress in the competition and match sharpness for some of his squad. He changed all 10 outfield players for Tuesday’s friendly with Burnley.