Preston North End

An inspired display from Manchester United loanee and midfielder Matty James – put the home side three up before the break, as PNE condemned the visitors to a fifth consecutive away defeat in the Championship.

 

Ferguson’s side went ahead thanks to winger Ross Wallace's fine low 18-yard strike and Callum Davidson added number two from the penalty spot, after Chris Cohen pulled back Billy Jones.

 

A superb long-range James effort made it 3-0 by half-time, to cap off a brilliant and dominant midfield display from the young man, loaned to Deepdale by Ferguson senior.

 

Dexter Blackstock's penalty, after a Jones handball, and a Rob Earnshaw's strike made it 3-2, but North End held on for a deserved victory, with the foundations already laid by their display in the opening 45 minutes.

 

The North End manager said afterwards: “It was an unbelievable performance in the first half. We didn't want half-time to come and it could have been more than three.

“But I was confident today and I'm not being arrogant. We've just annihilated a team who are third in the league. At home, if we are at it, we will give anybody a game.”

Forest boss Davies added: “I was watching the warm-up and I was very concerned with the attitude. We got what we fully deserved in the first 45 minutes, which was absolutely nothing.

 

“The second 45 minutes, we probably deserved to get something from the game.”

 

PNE line-up: Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene (Chilvers, 41), St. Ledger, Jones, Sedgwick (Treacy, 82), Coutts, James, Wallace, Brown, Mellor (Chaplow, 80). Subs not used: Henderson, Hart, Carter, Mayor.

 

Nottingham Forest line-up: Camp, Morgan, Wilson, Gunter, Anderson (Adebola, 80), McGugan (Chambers, 46), Cohen, Moussi, McGoldrick, Boyd (Earnshaw, 69), Blackstock. Subs not used:
Smith, Majewski, Tyson, Garner.

 

Referee: Mr M Haywood

 

Attendance: 14,426