Match Report: Preston North End 2-1 Hearts - Browne comes off the bench to sink Scottish Premiership side

Ben Woodburn opened the scoring for North End before Peter Haring levelled from the spot and Alan Browne came off the Lilywhites' bench to score the winner.

PNE boss Ryan Lowe made six changes to the side that won at Accrington Stanley, changing up his back three and his midfield.

Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Andrew Hughes played along the back with Ben Whiteman, Ben Woodburn and Ali McCann in the middle of midfield.

McCann was in for his first start of the summer, having joined up with the PNE squad late on due to international duty.

The first chance of the game came after nine minutes, Alex Cochrane's stray pass presented a chance for Woodburn whose first touch let him down. His loose control meant that Cochrane could hare across the face of the 18 yard box to put in a sliding tackle and stop the Welshman.

PNE showed good organisation throughout the first half and although they were getting forward and making runs, they were not able to carve anything out and neither were the visitors.

Ched Evans' 25 yard shot just before the half hour mark was the next piece of action in the game, his low effort going past Craig Gordon's right hand post.

After 32 minutes Freddie Woodman was forced into his first save of the night. A smart cross from Barrie McKay with the outside of his right boot from the left picked out Liam Boyce whose sliding effort from around six yards out was saved by the new no.1.

It proved important as PNE took the lead just two minutes later. Brad Potts' cross from the right looked well placed for Evans who let it run by him for the onrushing Woodburn to slot into the corner of the net, placing the ball with his instep to open the scoring against the side he spent last season on loan at.

North End saw out the final 10 minutes of the half without much of a scare at either end.

They started the second 45 quickly, Emil Riis sliding a ball through for the run of Woodburn who held off a defender before striking across goal on his left foot from the left side of the box, though it only bobbled wide of the far post.

Jorge Grant then went sliding in on the Welshman but was late, as North End's no.20 had already scooped the ball up, and he received a booking for his challenge.

Woodburn was again involved after 54 minutes as he set the ball up for McCann to strike towards goal but the Northern Irishman dragged the shot wide.

PNE looked to score a second after 63 minutes when a Ben Whiteman free kick was clipped towards Liam Lindsay, his header found Evans but it came back to the Scot who showed poise as he made time to strike at goal but he was crowded out.

Then Hearts broke, Toby Sibbick came flying forward with the ball and got to the edge of the North End box before cutting inside and seeing two teammates waiting. He picked out Boyce who brought the ball inside Andrew Hughes who dived in to win a spot kick.

Haring was the man with the honour from the spot and he made no mistake, a pinpoint penalty into the right side netting after 65 minutes.

Whiteman joined Haring in the referee's book four minutes later, the latter booked earlier in the second half.

Alan Forrest tried his luck from a tight angle 71 minutes in but his effort was high and wide.

North End got their second 14 minutes from time. Fresh off the bench, skipper Browne showed good composure to find the back of the net. Woodburn has once again won the ball high and laid square for the Irishman who brought the ball inside his man to put it past Craig Gordon in the Hearts net despite the 'keeper getting a leg to the ball.

Riis had a chance to add to their advantage three minutes later but he directed his header, from a Daniel Johnson cross, wide of the far post.

Stephen Kinglsey had the final shot of the game, stepping forward and letting fly on his left foot though his firm strike was wide of Woodman's post.

PNE Starting XI: Woodman, Storey (Diaby, 69'), Lindsay (Bauer, 78'), Hughes (Cunningham, 78'), Potts, Whiteman (Amaral, 88'), McCann (Browne, 69'), Woodburn (O'Neill, 86'), Brady (Johnson, 45'), Riis, Evans (Ledson, 75').

PNE subs not used: Cornell, Coulton.