Eddie Howe heaped praise on Adam Federici after the goalkeeper saved three

Adam Federici saved three times down to his right in the shoot-out from Jordan Hugill, Alan Browne and Daniel Johnson, meaning Dan Gosling’s miss for Bournemouth was not punished.

Eddie Howe heaped praise on Adam Federici after the goalkeeper saved three penalties as Bournemouth scraped past Preston in the League Cup.

His exploits went some way to erasing the memory of allowing a tame shot from Arsenal’s Alexis Sánchez to slip through his grasp in the Royals’ FA Cup semi-final defeat in April. Preston’s defence was nowhere to be seen as midfielder MacDonald, who is yet to make a league appearance in 2015-16, got up to loop a clever header over Pickford to put his side in front.

Howe, asked whether he had had any doubts Federici would recover, replied: “Not at all“.

However, Johnson went from hero to zero, missing the decisive spot kick, leaving Bournemouth running out 3-2 winners on penalties, Federici having save 3 penalties, dumping Preston out the cup after a noble performance. He is an outstanding and experienced worldwide goalkeeper who we certainly believe in.

“He’s also a great character and brilliant with the lads, even though he’s not playing at the moment he’s certainly giving competition for places”.

An upset was something people could sense, at least wanted, ahead of the game, but poor defending from Preston helped MacDonald (23) into heading Bournemouth into the lead at the midway point of the first half.

It was Pugh’s handball though that gave Preston a dramatic late chance to force a penalty shootout, which Johnson (118) did when he beat Federici from spot. It was a tough call.

“Feds’ showed what a top-class goalkeeper he is with some great saves”, he told BBC Radio Solent.

Despite their exit, Preston were applauded off the pitch by a fanbase that admired their spirit to fight back on two occasions as they attempted to follow up their victory over Watford in the last round.

“We were pegged back twice during the game but still had enough quality to come through and win“.