Two sides desperate for a win played out an entertaining draw at Deepdale - but a host of missed chances showed why both have been struggling for victories.

The goals came in the first half hour, with Preston's Lee Cartwright equalising David Johnson's opener, after which there was no killer instinct evident.

At least the result ended a run of six consecutive defeats for the hosts, but Forest are now without a victory in six games and their play-off hopes are in danger of evaporating.

Forest started better and Johnson had the first shot after five minutes but drilled an angled shot wide after getting on the end of a John Thompson cross.

Preston's United States international Eddie Lewis forced Forest goalkeeper Darren Ward into meaningful action after eight minutes with a strike which was held.

Then Johnson, Forest's leading scorer who was returning from suspension, gave his side the lead in the 16th minute as he produced a typically clinical right-foot finish to take his goals tally for the season to 22.

Graham Alexander, one of three North End players also returning from suspension, was booked in the 21st minute after fouling Andrew Reid, and then Forest's Riccardo Scimeca fired the ball wide.

But just when the visitors were looking good value for their lead, Preston equalised on the half-hour mark. They had just gone close when Ward had to parry a Simon Lynch shot, but the goalkeeper could do nothing to keep out Cartwright's header after Lynch had played the ball back in.

Thompson was shown the yellow card after a foul on McKenna and then Lewis again tested Ward but the goalkeeper was equal to his left-foot volley.

As the half drew to a close, Craig Brown's side looked more likely to go ahead and their new South African striker George Koumantakaris almost marked his debut with a goal but hit the woodwork, while Lewis put the ball over the crossbar when well placed.

In stoppage time, Johnson almost notched again from a Scimeca corner but his volley was clutched by Jonathan Gould.

After the break, the Lilywhites continued to pose more threat and after Alexander had curled a free-kick over the crossbar, Brian O'Neil, who had just been booked for dissent, had a close-range header saved by Ward.

Paul Hart's men responded with a Scimeca free-kick which Gould had to parry and then they hit the woodwork twice in a minute, firstly through Marlon Harewood and then his strike partner Johnson.

The teams were taking it in turns to have spells on top and Scimeca stung Gould's hands again before Gareth Williams missed a fine chance to give Forest the advantage, missing the target from a great position.

In the last 20 minutes Ward denied Koumantakaris, while Gould was perhaps more impressive with his saves from Harewood and Johnson as the goalkeepers took the plaudits.

Preston: Gould, Alexander, Lucketti, Murdock, Mears, Cartwright, O'Neil, McKenna, Lewis (Anderson 74), Koumantarakis (Abbott 74), Lynch.

Subs Not Used: Rankine, Jackson, Lonergan.

Booked: Alexander, O'Neil.

Goals: Cartwright 30.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Thompson, Dawson, Doig, Brennan, Prutton, Williams, Scimeca, Reid, Johnson (Westcarr 89), Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Jess, Bopp, Hjelde.

Booked: Thompson, Prutton.

Goals: Johnson 16.

Att: 13,508

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).