Chris Sedgwick was delighted to mark his 250th appearance with a win over Nottingham Forest.

The Lilywhites midfielder put in yet another tireless display on the right flank and was an integral part of the team which marched into a well deserved 3-0 half-time lead.

Speaking after the match Sedgwick acknowledged that the victory had been a hard fought one after Forest's second half fightback.

"We knew that they were going to come at us second half after being 3-0 up and they certainly did. It was a case of digging in there and hanging on but I thought overall we deserved the three points.

"If we had come in winning by more than the 3-0 at half-time it wouldn't have flattered us, we played really well. We knew that Billy would get them fired up for the second half and that they would come at us and they certainly did that."

North End put in a dominant first 45 minutes, their best form since Darren Ferguson took over and Preston's fans were out of their seats in celebration following a fantastic 12 minute burst of goals.

"Everyone was on the front foot and worked hard and people were closing down and winning it and that gave us the space to pass it about and play. I think that is the best we have played so far since the Gaffer has come in, that first 45 minutes.

"For the first goal we caught them on the break, Mells broke with it and played a great ball to him and he has taken a great first touch and finished and that settled everybody down. We went on the front foot again and we went for it again, it would have been easy to sit back and think that we have got a goal but we kept going and going.

"You always fancy Callum to score from the spot in them situations, he's got an old head, you don't fancy him as much as Graham Alexander but you still fancy him to score.

"After that Jamo has hit that one and I don't think anyone would have saved it, they were singing 'England's No.1' for their keeper but I don't think David James would have got that one."

The second half saw more of a defensive effort from the Lilywhites as Billy Davies' team tried to claw their way back into the game and the players were well warned what to expect from Forest after the break.

Sedgwick said "The Gaffer just said do the same again and don't drop deep. They have changed the formation and thrown everyone forward, they had nothing to lose at that point and we were always going to come under the kosh. We just had to dig in there and with 15 minutes to go it is a long time to hang on in there, but credit to the lads we have dug in and we have got the three points.

"It is difficult not to drop too deep when teams are coming at you like that. I thought Ledge won some fantastic headers towards the end and Lonners came and commanded his area and kept it strong."

The Preston North End No.7 is the 43rd player to make the 250 mark in Lilywhite colours and he said that it was nice that he did it with a victory over his former boss: "It is a nice way to mark it. I didn't realise until the last few days that it could be it, it is nice to get the 250 with a win. I think it is the first time we have beaten a Billy Davies side, it is nice for it to come."