Preston North End 0-1 Nottingham Forest: Lewis Grabban earns Forest victory at Deepdale
- Published
Lewis Grabban's goal was just his second of an injury-hit season
Lewis Grabban's second-half penalty ended Preston North End's three-game winning run and earned improving Nottingham Forest a sixth Championship victory of the season.
Grabban slotted the ball low down the centre of the goal despite slipping in his run-up and provoking strong claims from the home side that the striker made a double contact with the ball.
The Reds, who climb out of the relegation zone and up to 19th place, controlled a first half of few clear chances and went closest when Anthony Knockaert blasted an effort over.
Preston improved after the break and Tom Barkhuizen clipped the bar with a curling effort at 0-0 before Ben Davies smashed an effort off the bar after Grabban's goal.
But an increasingly nervy Forest held on through almost 10 minutes of added time to extend their unbeaten run to five games and inflict an 11th league defeat on their hosts, who drop a place to 12th.
A bleak wintry day at Deepdale produced little on-pitch cheer before the break, with neither side managing an attempt on target until the 43rd minute, when Preston's Daniel Johnson had a shot well saved by Brice Samba.
Forest had the better of things, looking comfortable in defence and getting into numerous promising situations without creating much apart from Knockaert's wasteful strike, blasted over from 10 yards.
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Preston improved considerably on the resumption, with Barkhuizen twice nearly finding a breakthrough. The striker forced Samba into a superb save with a header and then hit the bar with a fine curling effort from the right.
But Grabban's second goal in 13 appearances this season, after Darnell Fisher blocked Cafu's poked effort with his arm, put the visitors ahead and broke Forest's run of three consecutive draws.
Preston North End boss Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"First and foremost I thought we should have won the game. We hit the woodwork twice and had numerous opportunities to score, especially in the second half.
"And then we get a dubious penalty. Is it a clear penalty? I wouldn't say so. But I can understand them potentially giving it.
"But I think the disappointing thing is the next bit, because the next bit decides the game. [The penalty taker has] had two touches, I've seen it back.
"He goes to hit it with his right foot and the ball actually loops into the net, and the only way it can do that is if it hits something.
"For the referee to miss it is unforgivable. It's a penalty, it's a dead ball, there's not a lot to take account of."
Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"I am delighted. In the first half we were really good but the only thing we missed was the end product and goals that would have given us a deserved lead.
"That would have eased the pressure in the second half but overall we deserved the victory. The win is massive and gives us confidence.
"We work hard to get into good areas and when you do it's about showing good quality. When we play well and get into good areas we have to capitalise on it. We need to improve in that area.
"Lewis showed composure with the penalty although he did slip. It wasn't a double hit. He actually kicked his own foot. It's good to have him back."