Preston North End held on to an early three goal lead to record an inspiring 3-2 victory against Nottingham Forest at Deepdale.

North End took the three goal lead going into the break after a neat finish by Ross Wallace, a penalty by Callum Davidson and a contender for goal of the season by Matty James.

Despite a second half penalty scored by Dexter Blackstock and goal from substitute Robert Earnshaw, the Lilywhites held on to record a 3-2 victory against former manager Billy Davies.

There were changes aplenty for North End for this game with Captain Davidson, James, Wallace and Chris Brown coming into the side, with Tom Williams and Jon Parkin dropping out of the squad through injury.

Preston's start to the game was as lively as the atmosphere, with Davidson, who was making his first start since late January, delivering a ball into the penalty area to Brown, but the striker's header just fell wide of Lee Camp's goal.

Brown's effort was followed by another chance in the fifth minute, with Wallace's out swinging free kick being met by St. Ledger who then guided the ball to Neil Mellor. Just as Mellor was taking aim, Wes Morgan intercepted the ball and cleared it for a corner.

There was a scare for North End in the 17th minute when Chris Sedgwick was bundled off of the pitch and into the advertising boards. Sedgwick, who was making his 250th appearance for the Lilywhites, returned on to the pitch and had a cameo role in the opening goal.

After some smart defending by the home side, the ball was released to Mellor just behind the halfway line. The returning Sedgwick then dragged Chris Cohen over to the right hand touchline, allowing Mellor to move into the gaping space. The striker then found Wallace in acres of space on the left hand side who controlled the ball and then slid it past the advancing Camp and into the bottom right hand corner.

This 19th minute strike gave Preston a deserved lead after dominating proceedings in the opening exchanges.

Following this goal, North End showed their discipline, defending stoutly at the back and there was to be yet more joy for Ferguson and his defenders in the 28th minute.

Wallace did well to earn his side a corner in the 27th minute which the Scotsman then stepped up to take. When the corner was swung in, Billy Jones was hauled to the ground by Chris Gunter, leaving the referee no alternative but to point to the penalty spot.

The returning skipper then stepped up to dispatch the penalty and give the Lilywhites a two goal cushion.

If this was a good start for North End, things were going to get a lot better, and in some style! On loan midfielder James made it 3-0 three minutes later with what is another contender for PNE's goal of the season.

Wallace and Brown were again in the thick of things and after good work by the pair, the ball rolled out to James who struck a thunderous shot which flew into the top right hand corner. This goal was followed by a chorus of cheers preceding every Preston pass which was being played.

Five minutes before half time, North End broke well again and two of the four players who were at the Club when Billy Davies was manager almost added a fourth. It was Davidson who swung the cross in but winger Sedgwick was just unable to direct his header on target.

Worrying news came for Preston a minute later when Youl Mawene was replaced by Liam Chilvers after picking up an injury. Mawene left to a standing ovation by the Alan Kelly Town End though as did the Lilywhites who went into the break three goals to the good.

Forest made their first change of the game at the start of the second half with Lewis McGugan making way for Luke Chambers. The half saw the Reds start on the front foot but Preston's defenders were again absorbing the pressure well.

In the 55th minute, after winning a penalty himself, Jones gave one away, this time bringing down Chris Cohen just inside the penalty area. Blackstock stepped up and converted the spot kick to pull a goal back for the visitors.

The atmosphere had begun to heat up inside Deepdale with the Lilywhites having to dig in to keep their two goal lead. There was a lot of tension on the field as well, with the referee dishing out yellow cards to players on both sides.

Chances became few and far between as North End were content at maintaining their lead with Sedgwick's ambitious long range effort in the 70th minute being the pick since the penalty.

Preston were dealt a scare in the 75th minute when Forest substitute Earnshaw pulled a second back for Davies' men. Earnshaw was played through one-on-one with Andy Lonergan and slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Shortly after this goal, Ferguson brought Richard Chaplow on for Mellor, playing a 4-5-1 formation to tighten his midfield. Almost immediately after, Sedgwick made way for Keith Treacy who took his place on the right hand side of midfield.

It was a nervous ending to the game as the fourth official held up four minutes of added on time but Preston were able to hold on and a claim a hard earned three points against Davies' Nottingham Forest.