No welcome return for Davies

Wallace: Broke the deadlock

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Billy Davies endured an afternoon to forget back at former club Preston, as Nottingham Forest slipped to a 3-2 defeat.

A nightmare opening half-an-hour cost the Reds dear, with Ross Wallace, Callum Davidson and Matt James putting the Lilywhites in complete control.

Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw did pull two goals back for the visitors after the break, but the damage had already been done.

Davies' players struggled badly to cope with Preston's first-half vibrancy and could have easily fallen behind inside the opening minute.

Home captain Davidson swung in a teasing cross from the left flank and striker Chris Brown rose unmarked to send a header wide of the post.

It was an early warning sign for Forest but was not heeded in the slightest.

Tempo

North End began to up the tempo as the half wore on and duly led in the 20th minute after a superb counter-attack.

Neil Mellor embarked on a strong run down the right flank and advanced forward at pace before spotting Wallace unmarked to his left.

Mellor's perfect pass was gratefully received by Wallace, who took one touch to steady himself and another to drill a fierce low shot into the net from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Preston boss Darren Ferguson punched the air in delight and it soon got better for the home side as their advantage was doubled in the 29th minute following a corner from the left by Wallace.

Forest defender Chris Cohen was adjudged to have tugged at Billy Jones' shirt and Davidson dispatched the resultant penalty with a well-struck left-footed effort.

Brilliant

The visitors showed little as an attacking force and in the 32nd minute Preston struck again with a brilliant goal from on-loan Manchester United midfielder James.

James, 18, collected a pass from Wallace 25 yards out and unleashed a venomous right-footed shot which flew into the top right-hand corner.

Preston defender Youl Mawene succumbed to injury in the 41st minute and was replaced by Liam Chilvers before Forest grabbed a lifeline in the 57th minute.

Jones clumsily handled the ball as Cohen threatened to break clear and Blackstock fired home left-footed from the penalty spot.

Forest threw on Earnshaw with 21 minutes remaining and seven minutes later he collected Blackstock's pass and fired past Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan from close range.

Forest pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but Preston held on - much to Davies' dismay.