Preston North End opened the scoring at the County Ground after 55 minutes and later netted a penalty to give them a two-goal lead.

The Lilywhites had a player sent off just 10 minutes before the end and this prompted an Accrington goal, which they desperately tried to add to in order to equalise.

Although Stanley had chances before the final whistle, with one of their headers having to be saved off the line in a dramatic end to the game, it was North End who came away from the County Ground as champions winning 2-1.

FT: Preston North End U18 2-1 Accrington Stanley U18

Preston North End U18 are the new champions of the Professional Youth Cup.