'We made it tough for ourselves' - Heckingbottom

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom felt his side were not at their best as they beat League One Charlton Athletic to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

Milutin Osmajic scored in either half to secure a 2-1 victory and set up a tie against Wycombe Wanderers but Heckingbottom believes North End made it a closer game against the Addicks than it needed to be.

"I'm delighted to get the job done, it was a tricky game," he told BBC Radio Lancashire. "We knew that Charlton would make it tricky with their style and how they play but I thought we contributed towards making it tricky as well.

"We were really sloppy with the ball, especially in the second half. We didn't play enough forward passes in behind them in the first half. We were brave and took the ball but didn't pose enough problems.

"The way we started the second half I thought we'd wrestle control of the game but it never really happened so we had to win the game in a different way and stood strong but we made it tough for ourselves."

Osmajic got the nod over Lilywhites top marksman Emil Riis with the Montenegro international making the most of his opportunity to net his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

"We always knew he would work hard, I always fancy him to get a goal," Heckingbottom added.

"I want him to improve in terms of his role out of possession because I think it can help the team and also help him save energy in certain moments to be more affective when we do have the ball.

"But I'm delighted for him. I believe he's a big threat when he's on the pitch."