Preston North End 0 Portsmouth 1: Carter's gaffe lets Pompey off hook

If Portsmouth are the team to break the big four monopoly of the FA Cup's recent history then they may well look back on yesterday's scrambled win at Deepdale as the moment fate seemed to be on their side, when a stoppage-time own goal provided their passport to the last eight after David James had saved a penalty.

Harry Redknapp's team, as strong a side as he could put out as he senses the opportunity to finally mark his career with a major trophy, could not break down a resilient and determined Preston, who rose above their status just above the bottom three in the Championship in a rousing effort to claim another Premier League scalp after knocking out Derby.

Ultimately they were ready to thank James for winning them a replay yet at the last gasp, with Preston ready to accept the applause of the Deepdale crowd, a scramble in the goalmouth as goalkeeper Andy Lonergan tried to deal with a corner ended with Darren Carter, pressed by Hermann Hreidarsson on the line, volleying an attempted clearance into the roof of his own net.

In the absence of the Cup-tied Jermain Defoe and with David Nugent denied the chance to face his former club because of a hernia problem, Redknapp had chosen to go with only one striker, preferring Kanu over Milan Baros. But with a strong hand of attacking midfielders to provide support, the Portsmouth manager's attitude was anything but cautious.

The pairing of Sulley Muntari with Lassana Diarra in the centre of midfield for the first time had offered a mouthwatering prospect but Alan Irvine, the Preston manager, had clearly stressed the need for his players to deny their opponents space ahead of a scrappy opening half.

The pace of Niko Kranjcar on the left side provided another potentially productive line of attack for the Premier League team, although it was a half virtually devoid of chances. Kranjcar probably had the best, heading straight at Andy Lonergan after Muntari's cross. The closest to a goal, however, was a free-kick struck by Muntari from 25 yards, which was dipping under the bar when Lonergan stretched to push it over.

Yet there was plenty for Preston to feel satisfied with as they relished an opportunity to set aside their relegation worries. Their captain, Paul McKenna, led by industrious example in marshalling his midfield and team-mates Carter and Simon Whaley never flagged in their efforts to keep the centre of the field busily congested.

Whaley had their best chance of the opening half, when a little composure could have made all the difference as a block by Glen Johnson ran kindly for him. A snatched shot sent the ball high and wide. There were few opportunities, meanwhile, for strikers Chris Brown and Karl Hawley against Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin.

Yet Redknapp's team were lucky to escape when referee Mike Dean awarded Preston their penalty chance after an hour, although James might not see it that way. Distin brought down full-back Billy Jones as he ran on to Whaley's ball inside but the latter's attempt to score from the spot was superbly beaten away by the England goalkeeper.

Preston would rue the miss but at least it gave the contest a proper Cup-tie tempo. Pompey had started the second half with renewed conviction but as the home side began to believe more in themselves the Premier League side endured some rocky moments and James was again required to show his worth.

A well-struck drive from Brown brought another excellent, diving save and then Carter, on the end of a penetrating run, found the veteran goalkeeper too good. Neil Mellor, who had been frustrated to find himself on the bench at the start, was sent on with 20 minutes left but James denied him too.

Portsmouth replaced an understandably tiring Muntari with Baros with 15 minutes left and it was the Czech's pace in a different game plan that put Preston on the back foot. Yet they were desperately unlucky to go out as they did, the winning goal volleyed into his own net by Carter with Hreidarsson claiming the credit after Lonergan had been unable to deal with a Kranjcar corner. It came with a replay at Fratton Park only seconds away.

Goal: Carter og (90) 0-1.

Preston North End (4-4-2): Lonergan; Jones, Mawene, Chilvers, Davidson; Sedgwick (Chaplow, 87), McKenna, Carter, Whaley; Brown, Hawley (Mellor, 70). Substitutes not used: Ormerod, Hill, Szamotulski (gk).

Portsmouth (4-5-1): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson; Utaka, Diarra, Diop, Muntari (Baros, 76), Kranjcar; Kanu. Substitutes not used: Ashdown (gk), Lauren, Hughes, Aubey.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Man of the match: McKenna.

Attendance: 22,210.