Grayson threw Davies straight into the side playing upf ront alongside Garner. The team continued with the 4-4-2 formation. Kilkenny started after having his midweek red card rescinded.
Buchanan and Wiseman played at full back with the pairing of Wright and Clarke int he middle. Holmes and Gallagher played out wide whilst Welsh capatined the side fromt he middle of the park.
The first half was fairly abject. Davies had a shot on the tunr which the keeper saved well. Preston had one or two other half chances but so did County who worked Preston hard on the break.
North End took control of the game in the second half. They had a number of chances but it was Davies who broke the deadlock with a turn and then supreme shot intot he top corner.
The lead was doubled after a County mistake allowed Wiseman clean through. He was brought down and the referee ajudged that the fould took place in the box. Garner converted the penalty.
In all honest it could have been 4 or 5, Kevin Pilkington, the ex-United youngster and goalkeeping coach for Notts County was in outstanding form making some incredible saves for a 39 year old. On several occasions he cleared with numerous attempts blocked on the line.
Preston close the gap on Brentford and Orient who could only draw. They now have a fixture build up with a number of midweek games coming up in February starting with the Forest replay this Wednesday.