Preston's Paul McKenna grabbed his second goal in three days as Forest were
denied the win which would have all-but secured their Division One safety.
McKenna swept home from the edge of the area 13 minutes from time to give
Preston the point they deserved after an improved second-half performance.
The midfielder could have even earned his side a victory after meeting Richard
Cresswell's cross with a powerful header late on, but Paul Gerrard was able to
hold on to the ball.
Though Forest will be disappointed not to have held on for a win, they have
now reached the 50-point mark thought to guarantee safety after stretching their
unbeaten run to a fourth game.
Forest were ahead after just four minutes when Marlon King lashed home his
fourth goal in as many games on four minutes after Andy Reid's free-kick caused
panic in the Preston defence.
After King was felled by Rob Edwards on the right flank, Reid's curling
left-footed centre found its way to the striker, who emphatically beat Jonathan
Gould with a crisp volley.
A devastating run of injuries has undermined Preston's play-off hopes, and
Craig Brown again had to shuffle his pack after Lee Briscoe was ruled out with
the back injury he suffered against Wimbledon on Saturday.
However, Ricardo Fuller was recalled to the North End attack after completing
his four-match suspension and the Jamaican international eventually began to
revive Preston after their slow start.
Fuller shot straight at Gerrard after finding space on the edge of the area,
while Graham Alexander forced the Forest keeper into an acrobatic tip over the
bar as Preston rallied.
The breakthrough came 11 minutes from the interval, with skipper Chris
Lucketti showing admirable composure to beat Gerrard for his first goal of the
season after collecting George Koumantarakis' headed flick.
Preston's injury jinx struck again three minutes before the break when Edwards
had to be withdrawn after picking up an injury.
Jeff Smith was introduced, and before he had chance to adapt to the pace of
the game, Preston were behind.
Gareth Williams converted his fourth goal in seven games on the stroke of
half-time after another excellent run and cross from Reid.
Forest manager Joe Kinnear threw on David Johnson and Eoin Jess in search of a
winner late on after McKenna's timely strike.
But it was Preston who went closest to snatching the three points when Smith
fired wide.
Teams
Preston Gould, Alexander, Broomes, Lucketti, Michael Jackson,
Edwards (Smith 43), McKenna, Etuhu, Gemmill (Cresswell 78),
Fuller, Koumantarakis (Lynch 67).
Subs Not Used: Lonergan, McCormack.
Goals: Lucketti 34, McKenna 77.
Nottm Forest Gerrard, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Morgan, Rogers,
Impey, Williams, Evans, Reid (Jess 81), King (Johnson 81),
Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Roche, Sonner, Doig.
Goals: King 4, Williams 45.
Att: 15,117
Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).
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