Jon Olav Hjelde grabbed an injury-time equaliser for Nottingham Forest to break the hearts of play-off rivals Preston.

David Healy had fired Preston ahead but never-say-die Forest kept battling and were well worth their point.

Preston seemed to be on course for victory in the crucial six pointer game, before which the two teams were separated by just two points.

But they hadn't reckoned on Hjelde meeting Andy Johnson's cross and heading in from close range.

Northern Ireland international Healy gave Preston a dream start by claiming his eighth goal of the season on 10 minutes.

Healy seized his chance after being fouled by Chris Doig. He took the ensuing 20-yard free-kick and had keeper Dave Beasant diving the wrong way.

It was virtual Preston one way traffic for the first quarter, apart from a couple of neat crosses by Forest.

Falling behind fired the visitors up and Chris Bart-Williams had three long range efforts.

The best was a 32nd-minute free-kick which sailed just wide, with keeper Dave Lucas beaten.

The Forest fans were screaming for a penalty when Stern John was challenged from behind by Ryan Kidd. John was trying to make the best of an excellent Bart-Williams pass when he was dispossessed.

Both teams had struggled at times on a slippery surface but the game stepped up a gear after the interval and Johnson had three goalbound chances cleared in as many minutes.

A close range shot was hooked away by Jon Macken, keeper David Lucas denied him by saving with his feet in a one on one situation and then Johnson was left shaking his head when Graham Alexander kicked off the line on 58 minutes.

Johnson also failed to hit the target with three more good chances. In one move he out-foxed four defenders before firing into the sidenetting less than 20 minutes from time.

Earlier Preston marksman Macken should have scored but his 19-yard shot rebounded from the underside of the crossbar.

Teams

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Edwards, Kidd, Murdock, McKenna, Rankine, Gregan, Anderson (Cartwright 63), Macken, Healy (Cresswell 81).

Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Morgan, Gunnlaugsson.

Goals: Healy 11.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Gray, Benali, Doig, Hjelde, Scimeca, Prutton, Andy Johnson, Bart-Williams, David Johnson, John.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Edwards, Edds, Jones, Harewood.

Booked: Prutton.

Goals: Hjelde 90.

Att: 16,842

Ref: M Jones (Chester).