Burton Albion's PDP side mounted a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Preston North End 5-2 in their opening EFL Youth Alliance Cup fixture.

The young Brewers fell two goals behind in the first half through Marshall Longson and Harry Gerrard, but goals from Samuel Oyemade, Kairo Piper, Miles Henry and a brace from Robbie Meakin secured Albion's place in the second round.

First Half

Preston took the lead after six minutes when Marshall Longson struck past Lucas Joubert following a turnover in Burton's defensive third. Ethan Tempest had won the ball back but his tee-up was expertly finished by the visitor.

Burton almost responded immediately. Kairo Piper drifted down the left and found Nuri Latham with a dangerous delivery, but Latham's lofted effort bounced off the roof of the net and behind.

Preston doubled their advantage on fifteen minutes. Harry Gerrard, the visitors' captain, took advantage of Burton's failure to clear the press and lashed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Kairo Piper continued to lead Burton's charge and nearly found a consolation before half-time when his ball across the area reached Miles Henry, but Henry's effort sailed over the bar. The score at the break was 0-2.

Second Half Turnaround

Managers Shaun Barker and Dave Freeman made a tactical change at half-time, and it paid immediate dividends. Samuel Oyemade pulled one back just before the hour mark with a strike from distance that proved too much for Preston keeper Nuri Latham, who tipped it into the bottom right corner.

Within minutes, Burton were level. Robbie Meakin converted a low cross from close range to make it 2-2.

Momentum was fully with the hosts. Kairo Piper put Burton ahead just before the 70-minute mark, beating his defender down the left and striking past Latham into the bottom right corner, mirroring Oyemade's earlier finish.

Robbie Meakin added his second to give Burton breathing space, stooping low to head home another Kairo Piper delivery. Miles Henry completed the scoring to seal a five-goal second-half display.