Buoyed by Saturday’s win at Reading, Forest entertained another high flying outfit as Preston North End visited the City Ground.

New signing Isaiah Osbourne came in for a debut with Billy Davies opting to rest the recently returned Guy Moussi. Elsewhere, the injured Nathan Tyson was replaced as expected by Gareth McCleary, who impressed at the weekend.

Preston started the better side as Forest struggled to gain possession in the early stages. Simon Whaley’s inviting cross from the right evaded everybody as the visitors threatened in the first minute.

With the conditions not really conducive to football Forest played some neat stuff in the opening period but were restricted mainly to half chances with Lewis McGugan and Luke Chambers threatening, though in truth it was a largely forgettable first 45 minutes with clear chances at either end virtually non existent.

After half time things improved as the poor weather relented with both sides creating opportunities. The Reds made the breakthrough just before the hour when Robert Earnshaw glanced home after a superb Joel Lynch cross from the left.

Having fallen behind the away side responded and despite not previously testing Paul Smith found an equaliser when Jon Parkin took advantage of woeful Forest defending to turn home a Ross Wallace corner.

As time started to push on the Reds were handed a belated Christmas present courtesy of a terrible mix up between defender Andrew Davies and keeper Andy Lonergan. The pair contrived to hand Earnshaw a decisive second goal of the evening as the Reds striker stroked into an empty net from outside the area.

In truth North End had no response from here and it was the home side that pushed for a third goal. Lewis McGugan almost doubled the lead after a surging run and shot whilst Paul Anderson’s header was well saved by Lonergan.

Despite five minutes added time the Reds held out comfortably for another crucial victory. If Billy Davies’ side can maintain the level of this performance Forest should have no problems reaching the points tally required for Championship survival.

Forest: Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Wilson, Lynch (Heath 87), Anderson, McGugan (Thornhill 90), Osbourne, Cohen, McCleary, Earnshaw (Breckin 90).