High-flying Preston piled more misery on Nottingham Forest as they secured a 2-1 success on Tuesday.
Preston maintain unbeaten run with narrow win
High-flying Preston piled more misery on Nottingham Forest as they secured a 2-1 success at Deepdale on Tuesday.
The defeat condemns Forest to a third straight league reverse and sees them drop into the relegation zone.
Youl Mawene was the star of the show, although he scored at both ends, while Neil Mellor was also on target for the Lilywhites.
The omens were never good for Forest having conceded eight goals in their last two away games - contributing to what was the worst defensive record in the league.
And true to form it was Preston with the first effort on goal, but Darren Carter's left-footed shot flew just wide of the post.
Despite Preston's early pressure, Robert Earnshaw did manage to hit the target for Forest but his 20-yard shot was fielded by goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.
The rare foray from the away side did nothing to dent Preston's confidence with Barry Nicholson, Jon Parkin and Paul McKenna all going close with long-range efforts.
Forest began to grow in confidence as the half wore and they increasingly found a foothold in the game.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood had given former Manchester United striker Andy Cole his first start for the club and the former England international forced a good save from Lonergan from 12-yards.
Desperate
But Preston continued to create shooting opportunities with Carter a constant threat from distance.
His 25-yard shot forced Forest keeper Paul Smith to tip over the bar and Mellor's drive tested him again as Forest were looking increasingly desperate, and just after half-time Preston took the lead.
Carter was again the instigator for Preston and his cross found Mawene who headed into the net having evaded the Forest cover.
Minutes later 36-year-old Cole had the opportunity to level the scores but fired wide from six yards.
Preston capitalised on the miss and doubled their lead.
McKenna began the sweeping move when he drove into Forest's half and supplied Nicholson on the right.
The midfielder carried the ball before crossing for Mellor to head home his second league goal of the season.
But Forest were back in it when defender Mawene diverted Lee Martin's cross past his own goalkeeper midway through the second half.
Cole was replaced by Nathan Tyson and the jet-heeled striker almost made an impact but Mawene made up for his own-goal by blocking the shot.
Earnshaw should have hit the target with 10 minutes to go but he blazed high and wide, allowing Preston to hold on and record their fourth win in five games at Deepdale.
