Nottingham Forest 2 PNE 2

A last gasp goal from Billy Jones grabbed a point for Preston North End to stretch their unbeaten run to three games.

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But it could have been even better for PNE who were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty early in the second half after Barry Nicholson had put the visitors ahead.

Paul Konchesky equalised for the hosts early in the second half and the score remained 1-1 until injury time when Chris Cohen scored what looked to be the winner for Forest.

But PNE rallied and got the point that their good play deserved thanks to their left back.

Preston lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with two changes from the weekend’s draw against QPR. Paul Coutts came in for Adam Barton and Leon Clarke returned to the bench.

Nottingham Forest fielded a strong team including Liverpool’s Konchesky and former PNE captain Paul McKenna in midfield.

The game started slowly but with just over a quarter of an hour gone PNE broke the deadlock. Keith Treacy crossed the ball allowing Barry Nicholson to head home.

For the rest of the first half Nottingham Forest controlled possession but PNE defended well and preserved their lead until half time thanks in part to goalkeeper Iain Turner.

North End started the second half well and should have had a chance to double their lead when Treacy’s corner from the right appeared to strike a Forest hand before being cleared.

PNE’s players and bench all appealed for a penalty but referee Darren Deadman decided not to award a spot kick.

Forest immediately countered and defender Konchesky levelled the scores from just inside the area.

It was cruel on PNE but rather than let their heads drop they continued to attack.

Phil Brown threw on Leon Clarke for PNE while Billy Davies brought on strikers Dele Adebola and Nialle Rodney with both sides pushing for the win.

Forest thought they had snatched all three points when Chris Cohen found the net in the 92^nd minute but Billy Jones responded just four minutes later to earn what could be a crucial point.

PNE host Burnley tomorrow, even though they have now gone three games without defeat they would love to pick up their first win under Phil Brown in the local derby.

PNE: Turner 7, Gray 7, Cort 7, St.Ledger 7, Jones 8, Coutts 6 (Barton 6), Nicholson 7, Ashbee 7, Treacy 8, Ellington 6 (Hayes n/a), Johnson 6(Clarke 6). Unused subs: Lonergan, Morgan, Parry, Carter.

Nottingham Forest: Camp 7, Gunter 6, Morgan 7, Chambers 7, Konchesky 7 (Lynch 6), Anderson 7, McKenna 7, McGugan 7, Cohen 8, McGoldrick 6 (Rodney 6), Tudgay 6 (Adebola 7). Unused subs: Smith, Moloney, McCleary.