Earnshaw brace lifts Forest

Earnshaw: Vital brace

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Rob Earnshaw struck twice as Nottingham Forest increased their survival hopes with a 2-1 victory over play-off chasing Preston.

Earnshaw put the home side ahead on 58 minutes before taking advantage of a mix-up in the North End defence to fire into an empty net 19 minutes from time.

Jon Parkin had levelled for Preston before Andy Lonergan and Simon Davies conspired to gift Wales international Earnshaw the winner.

It was the away side who started the brightest and could have gone ahead twice early on, Richard Chaplow finding space and time down the left and sending over a fizzing cross that evaded both sets of players.

Parkin almost forged an opening seconds later only for Wes Morgan to recover smartly and hack clear.

Preston continued to enjoy more possession amid blustery, soaking conditions and goalkeeper Paul Smith could well have gifted Ross Wallace the opener when he flapped unconvincingly under a high ball.

Smith was reprieved however as Forest gradually found their footing in the game, Paul Anderson failing to control a bouncing ball in the edge of the area when well placed.

Forest's best chance of the half fell to Lewis McGugan as he surged forward midway through the half, however, the midfielder failed to find the target as he fizzed a shot just wide.

Chris Cohen called Lonergen into his first meaningful save just past the half hour when he cracked in a left-footed drive that the stopper did well to handle.

Preston full-back Billy Jones then forced Smith into a smart stop as he launched a stinging shot from distance that took a wicked deflection and bounced awkwardly for the goalkeeper.

Earnshaw then went close in the dying seconds when his close-range header failed to trouble Lonergan.

Threat

The visitors began well after the interval and had an early chance when Billy Nicholson found space and fired in a shot that narrowly went wide.

Earnshaw continued to look a threat for the home side and headed Cohen's cross wide, however, the home fans didn't have to wait long for the forward to make amends.

The striker found time and space in the box and, following a sweeping left-wing centre from Joel Lynch, made no mistake from six yards out with a firm header.

Forest's lead proved to be fleeting as Preston hit back almost immediately through Parkin.

The burly striker bundled home his first goal away from home this term when Ross Wallace's corner floated over a static home defence and he turned in a close-range effort.

The goal pegged Forest back and they admirably withstood a barrage from North End that saw Simon Whaley and Ross Wallace both go close.

It was against the run of play when Earnshaw benefited from the mix-up between Davies and Lonergan after 71 minutes to slot home his second and re-establish Forest's lead.

Lonergan produced a superb save to keep Preston in the game when he parried Anderson's header away from danger, and McGugan could have wrapped up proceedings had he not shot wide from 18 yards out.

Preston went close late on through substitute Stephen Elliott, however, the home side comfortably held on.