The game was fairly even throughout the first half with Forest looking a shade of the side that pulverised Irvine's Preston at the City Ground last season. Under Ferguson Preston look average at best but Forest appeared to still be in the starting blocks, one month into the season.
It was a mistake that opened up the game and thankfully it came from Forest who lost the ball in midfield. Preston capitalised and one slide rul ball later saw Jon Parkin through on goal to side foot home with his left foot just before half time. Parkin has now scored two in two and for the second season in a row looks like Preston's main goal threat.
Fergie adapted Saturday's 4-5-1 formation with Coutts surprisingly starting but for the injured James and King came in Russell into central midfield with Parry starting on the right.
Preston started the second half brightly and should have sealed the game. Parry had a free kick saved one handedly by the Forest keeper before Preston headed wide from a corner when it was easier to score. The Whites were in the ascendency until the last twenty minutes.
Goals change games and Preston's ineffectiveness to defend as a unit showed again. If wee Billy Davies had been in charge Preston would have closed this game out one nil. Instead McGugan was allowed time and space in midfield as the Preston back line backed off. He shot from around twenty five yards and the ball crept in the near post with Lonergan getting a touch - the keeper seems to becoming fallable at long range efforts although Preston in fairness allow most teams to shoot from disatnce these days.
Forest sensed the insecurity in the Preston back line and could have gone behind save for poor finishing. Ultimately they couldn't keep Forest at bay with McGugan left free in the box to fire home late on. Preston couldn't claw back the game.
Fergie needs to sort out the defence if Preston are to stay up this season and the team needs to work as a unit and be more solid - instead it looks like we're going to sign a striker who can play out wide.