By twenty past three Barnet’s FA Cup campaign had effectively ended and their first round tie at Preston North End was decided.

The Bees were without their two first choice strikers, down to ten men after Keanu Marsh-Brown was sent off and 1-0 behind after a goal from Tom Clarke.

Marsh-Brown’s dismissal, which will rule him out of the next three games, will be debated over by Barnet fans on the long trip back to London.

The winger lost possession and his attempt to win it back was deemed overzealous. He collided with Scott Laird and the referee showed no hesitation in flashing the red card.

League One Preston then showed their quality and ruthlessness. Clarke headed home a Lee Holmes’ cross and from that point the hosts were in control.

The Bees battled and kept the ball well for short spells. But with winger Kieran Cadogan having to lead the line, they offered no attacking threat.

The Lilywhites seemed content to maintain possession but upped the pace of their passing and scored twice in the final nine minutes of the half.

Joe Garner headed a Laird cross past Graham Stack and then Paul Gallagher slotted into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 at the break.

The tie was effectively over but Preston did not let up in the second period.

They created chances with ease and Laird smashed an effort into the side netting before Gallagher curled a shot over after a neat interchange.

The home side were then reduced to ten men as Stuart Beavon was dismissed for a foul on Andy Yiadom. At least the referee was consistent.

The pressure on the Barnet goal didn’t ease and Preston added a fourth as Gallagher swept in a Holmes cross.

The Bees did have a couple of chances. Harry Crawford forced Declan Rudd into a routine stop before Cadogan toe-poked an effort wide.

But it was Preston who ended the game strongly and they added two more goals to their tally.

Gallagher completed his hat-trick with a deft chip over Stack and Garner sealed his brace after firing a low finish under the goalkeeper.

The final score reflected Preston’s dominance but despite conceding six, Barnet supporters will be proud of their side who never gave up despite the insurmountable odds.

Preston North End: Rudd; Keane, Huntington (King 68), Clarke, Laird; Brownhill (Byrom 68), Welsh; Holmes (Hayhurst 77), Garner, Gallagher, Beavon.

Preston North End substitutes: Stuckmann, Davies, Buchanan, Hume.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, Saville, Vilhete; Weston (Crawford 60), Byrne, Abdulla (Fletcher 70); Cadogan, Marsh-Brown, Davids (Mengerink 75).

Barnet substitutes: Jupp, Acheampong, Nurse, Johnson.