Osmajic On Target As Preston Beat Burnley 3-0 In FA Cup

Osmajic On Target As Preston Beat Burnley 3-0 In FA Cup

Milutin Osmajic was on the scoresheet as two-time winners Preston claimed bragging rights in Lancashire by thumping local rivals Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round.

Build-up to the contest was overshadowed by Preston’s Osmajic being accused of racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri during the meeting of the sides here two weeks ago – an allegation which the Montenegro forward denies.

Osmajic started the game but Hannibal was left out of the squad and the Clarets players refused to acknowledge the Preston player in the pre-match handshake.

Once the match got under way, Osmajic was in the thick of the action immediately, running clear and shooting wide in the opening seconds, much to the delight of the away supporters.

But there was no denying Osmajic on the stroke of half-time when he collected Brad Potts’ through ball and drilled a clinical finish past Vaclav Hladky, before taunting the Clarets fans in celebration by cupping his hands around his ears towards their direction.

Burnley’s astonishing defensive record has produced 12 consecutive clean sheets in their push for promotion from the Championship, but they were stunned when Robbie Brady curled in a glorious 25-yard free-kick against his old club.

Preston added a third goal in the second half as Will Keane poked in from close range, while at the other end Freddie Woodman made a superb save to deny Zian Flemming as Burnley were knocked out.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side, though, can look forward to being in the draw for the last eight, which takes place after Sunday’s Manchester United v Fulham tie (16:30 GMT kick-off).