Eoin Doyle breaks Preston duck as Nottingham Forest's agony goes onEoin Doyle's first Preston goal heaped more misery on Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman as his men's winless run extended to eight games at Deepdale.Cardiff loanee Doyle struck in just the second minute before North End stood firm to record a fifth straight clean sheet that ensured they leapfrogged Forest in the Sky Bet Championship table with a 1-0 success.The visitors had plenty of opportunities to equalise in the opening 45 minutes but they ran out of ideas in the second half to continue their wretched form and keep the scrutiny on Freedman's position at the City Ground.Doyle had been without a North End goal since signing in September but one minute, 50 seconds into this encounter that drought was over.When Ben Osborn's attempt was smothered at one end by Jordan Pickford, North End broke in numbers and Doyle burst into the area.Daniel Johnson took aim from his turn back and although Dorus de Vries prevented that effort from going past him, Doyle followed up to finish via the goalkeeper's legs at the near post.Six minutes later it should have been 2-0, yet Joe Garner was unable to follow Doyle in registering for the first time this season as he headed Adam Reach's cross over.Forest heads did not drop, though, and they dominated the remainder of the first half with efforts from Ryan Mendes, Jamie Ward and Nelson Oliveira all coming close as the Lilywhites' openness led to numerous chances.Ward even hit the top of the crossbar with one shot while Garner's low try whistled inches wide of a post to suggest there would be more goals in the second periodHowever, both sides tightened up after the break, and it was not until Garner's 73rd-minute attempt, which De Vries almost spilled into Doyle's path, that either goalkeeper was troubled.There were even groans among the home support when the ball was passed backwards as Simon Grayson's men closed in on their first home league victory of the season
The attacking prowess might not have been evident but their stoutness in defensive was once again on display with a series of defensive blocks and headers, Australia international Bailey Wright once again standing out.And when three Forest players converged on the ball as Jack Hobbs' free-kick entered the six-yard box, a white shirt managed to hack the ball clear among a forest of bodies around goalkeeper Pickford.Freedman's men could not find a way through during a mundane second half to give Friday night's meeting with in-form bitter rivals Derby added significance for both him and his club
Source : PA
Source: PA