While on-loan Leeds midfielder Sam Greenwood got the ball rolling with a first-half brace.
Preston ended more than 10 hours without an away goal when Greenwood curled a 25-yard free-kick into home goalkeeper James Belshaw’s top-right corner after Anthony O’Connor had hauled down Osmajic.
The former England Under-21 international then doubled his tally for the night after 37th minute, firing the ball inside Belshaw’s right-hand post from the penalty spot after Toby Sims had lunged into a tackle on Osmajic.
Two minutes later, Osmajic made it 3-0 when he slammed the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards following Duane Holmes’ forward pass.
Osmajic then notched a second for himself in first-half stoppage time, bundling in at the far post from Brad Potts’ left-wing cross.
The 25-year-old Montenegro forward went on to rattle an upright and Andrew Hughes also tested the home crossbar before the former burst through the right channel and shot across goal into the bottom corner to claim the match ball.
Heckingbottom Happy with North End's Performance and Goals
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom took plenty of positives from Tuesday night’s 5-0 win at Harrogate Town.
The Lilywhites were as good as through to round three at half-time, after Sam Greenwood and Milutin Osmajic both netted first half braces. The former scored a stunning free-kick and tucked home from the penalty spot, before Osmajic rifled in number three and tapped home the fourth. And, with six minutes to play in the second half, the Montenegrin raced through on goal and blasted home for his hat-trick - a second in North End colours, since signing last summer.
“Yeah, pleased with another win, clean sheet and the goals,” said Heckingbottom. “The nature of the performance was good. It was important that our approach and mentality was right, which it was, and we got the rewards for playing some good football as well. I would’ve loved to finish the moves off in the second half, where a couple hit the woodwork and a couple just went wide.
“It would’ve then been arguably better, but I’m pleased with how patient we were. And then, when we did break the front two lines of Harrogate, we got in behind them and created some chances. So yeah, really pleased with that. I had one mind on what we were working on for the weekend as well, and I want it to be tough to get in the team - definitely.
“I want to make sure everybody in the squad is at a level where they know how hard it is to get in, but when they are involved, they contribute. I have been impressed. I have seen a hell of a lot of Preston, in the opposition dugout and watching Championship games. So, I knew a lot, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how receptive the players have been - taking on some new ideas. Everyone has tried to produce it and have a go at it.”
Heckingbottom Praises Osmajic and Greenwood's Goal-Scoring Ability
Osmajic scored eight goals in his debut season at PNE - the number 28’s shot power, instinct and accuracy in front of goal is a weapon Heckingbottom is excited by. The sweetness of Greenwood’s set-piece scorcher was also a sight to behold. North End’s boss was extra happy to see pre-match work with both players pay off on the night.
“Yeah, both front players if you see the strikes,” said Heckingbottom. “They both strike the ball so cleanly. They are totally different types of players, but if the ball is anywhere the goal then they are hitting it. So yeah, pleased with them. We did a bit of work with those two players on Sunday and yesterday, because they didn’t start the other day. We knew they were going to be playing together and how their roles would combine, so yeah I am pleased and pleased for them to score the goals.
Okkels Makes Full Debut for Preston
A full debut was also handed to Jeppe Okkels, who made his second appearance for PNE - having signed from FC Utrecht, one day after Ryan Lowe’s exit as manager. It’s been a whirlwind start to life at Deepdale for the wide man, but Heckingbottom was glad to get him out there and felt he did well down the left.
“Yeah, I am pleased we got him his first start tonight,” said Heckingbottom. “He has just come over, his first start and he can be pleased with that start - because it is tough adapting. He’s had a couple of weeks over here now, a lot of training, consecutive days and then changing managers.
“It has probably not been the start he envisaged, but it’s nice to get him on the pitch for everyone to see. You can see how hard he works and we want to get him to understand what we want from him, so it’s easier for him to adapt to us and what we are asking.”
Heckingbottom Impressed by Away Fans' Support
And on the travelling 1,100+ away fans he said: “Yeah, it was good. It is a long way to come on a Tuesday night, you know what I mean? But, to turn out here is great and I am glad we sent them away happy. We will all be looking at the draw now...”
Preston North End's Dominance in the First Half
Preston North End are in Carabao Cup action tonight as they take on Harrogate Town, away from home.
Osmajic gets away from his man, charges down at goal and blasts it into the bottom left corner. HAT-TRICK!
Frokjaer slides it through to Osmajic, who blasts a first time shot on target but sees it pushed behind for a corner. Best takes it, but Harrogate clear.
Ali McCann is on for his first appearance of the season, while Mads Frokjaer also enters the fray. Thordarson and Greenwood are replaced.
The result is done but credit to Harrogate, who are still having a go. Cornelius cuts inside and shoots high and wide from 25 yards or so, moments after Woodman was on hand to hold March’s shot.
Hughes, Lindsay and Potts make way for Best, Storey and Kesler-Hayden.
PNE should be further ahead. Osmajic latched on to another low cross from the right, but saw his prodded effort cannon back off the post. Hughes then stepped into the Harrogate half, but rifled his shot against the upright.
Holmes has his head in his hands. Okkels drives down the left and crosses low, but PNE’s number 25 slots wide of the bottom left corner.
Back under way in Harrogate... no changes at the break for PNE.
Two for Sam Greenwood and two for Milutin Osmajic. PNE are in complete control at the break and, surely, through to round three of the Carabao Cup. A brutal first 45 minutes from Paul Heckingbottom’s team.
Osmajic has another! Ledson through to Potts, who plays it across goal and there is Osmajic to finish from close range.
Osmajic blasts the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards. A devastating finish, after initially struggling to get the ball under control.
Sam Greenwood tucks his penalty into the bottom left corner! North End double their lead.
Osmajic clipped. Greenwood to take...
It breaks for Okkels on the left and he drives forward, at speed. It’s taken to the byline and drilled across goal, but Belshaw gets down and holds on to it. Good intent from Okkels, who is growing into the game. The rain is now tumbling down again...
Some encouragement for Harrogate as they sustain some territory in the final third. It’s eventually lifted to the back post and Whatmough rises highest to clear. A first spell of defending for PNE to do.
Harrogate launch a long throw into PNE’s box and it’s dealt with, but the hosts work it back out to the right. It’s sent back in with quality but thankfully, for North End, Ledson is there to clear the ball played back across. Corner now for the hosts...
Lindsay slides in on March, who looks through on goal. The Harrogate forward goes down but the referee waves away his appeals, with Lindsay judged to have won the ball.
It’s a stunner from Sam Greenwood... up, over the wall and in! Sublime.
