Alex Samizadeh on the scoresheet as Will Jaaskelainen saves three penalties in shootout victory
Will Jaaskelainen was the hero as Bolton Wanderers' Development Squad put in a mature performance to beat Preston North End on penalties to progress to the third round of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup on Wednesday night.
Drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes, Alex Samizadeh fired David Lee's side ahead midway through the first half with a powerful long-range effort, only for Eoin Doyle to net a stoppage-time equaliser.
But David Lee's side were not to be denied as Jaaskelainen saved all of Preston's spot-kicks to ensure they deservedly qualified courtesy of a 3-0 shootout victory - George Newell slotting home the decisive kick.
Facing an experienced North End side featuring nine players with first team experience, the young Whites found themselves under pressure early on.
During the opening quarter of an hour, the Lilywhites saw an effort disallowed following a corner while Will Jaaskelainen had to be alert to deny both Josh Earl and Simon Makienok.
Meanwhile at the other end, Jeff King went closest for Bolton as he fired over with a 30-yard free-kick.
However, surviving a nervy start, the Trotters grew into the game as the half wore on and were rewarded just short of the half-hour mark.
Having scored twice from two substitute appearances on loan for Chorley, Samizadeh brought that form back to his parent club to fire Wanderers' second-string ahead.
Finding himself in space on the edge of the box, the Iranian took a touch before drilling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past goalkeeper Matt Hudson into the bottom corner.
North End fought back with Melle Meulensteen firing narrowly off-target from a quickly-taken free-kick.
Jaaskelainen was again called into action to deny both Makienok and Eoin Doyle to ensure the Whites went in ahead at the break.
HALF TIME
Bolton remained under pressure following the interval as Preston chased an equaliser but continued to frustrate their more experienced counterparts.
Defending stubbornly with a disciplined, hard-working showing from back to front, the Trotters successfully managed to limit North End's attempts on goal.
On a rare occasion when Preston did manage to break through their defence, the woodwork came to Wanderers' rescue with May firing against the post from an acute angle after running onto Doyle's through-ball.
At the other end, Samizadeh went close again for the Whites shortly after the hour-mark only to fire wide from close-range.
Jaaskelainen produced a stunning saved to deny North End what looked like a certain equaliser with five minutes left on the clock when Earl found himself one-on-one.
However, the Finn stood tall to deny the defender from point-blank range.
Samizadeh went close twice more in the dying embers, first forcing a save from Hudson from distance before volleying wide from the resulting corner.
But just as it looked like Bolton would hang on to seal the win, Preston managed to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game as Doyle slotted home Earl's cross.
The Trotters were not to be denied however, as Jaaskelainen saved all three of the Lilywhites penalty-kicks.
And with Hyuga Tanner, Sam Lavelle and Newell all converting their efforts, Wanderers deservedly progressed to the third round.
PENALTIES
Eoin Doyle SAVED
Hyuga Tanner SCORED
Liam Grimshaw SAVED
Sam Lavelle SCORED
Dylan Davidson SAVED
George Newell SCORED
FULL TIME: Wanderers win 3-0 on penalties.
TEAM
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Spooner, Honeyball, Barrow, Lavelle, Tanner, Willoughby, Earing, Newell, King, Samizadeh.
Subs: Marsh, Aspinall, Lonsdale, White, Green.