Where has this come from? A brilliant finish from Jamie Mackie gives Forest the lead. A punch clear from a visiting corner gets to the edge of the box, Mackie battles, gets the ball back and then curls a looping shot past the right hand of Declan Rudd and into the far corner.

Back under way in Madrid. The second quarter, if you will.

Former Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"When Preston are defending they are leaving just one up front with Kevin Davies on his own. Forest are still leaving three or four defenders back though.

"For me Greg Halford and Dan Harding can push up and make the extra man against the Preston full-backs."

You can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Preston still on top. Ball moved from the right, Lee Holmes fed just on the edge of the D. He aims a cheeky bender, but it's wide of the post and the scrambling De Vries.

Ally in Northants (Re: Archie's text at 19:30) David Sadler played for Preston & England. Michael Owen played for Real & England. Expect one or two Preston Invincibles played for England tho.

Twin Preston corners, both of which arc towards the Forest goal with the help of the wind. The second, from the Preston left, is very threatening, to the extent it ends up in the back of the net. By that time, though, the whistle has gone for a Kevin Davies foul on Dorus de Vries. "Who me?" says Davies? Yes Kev, giving away free-kicks is sort of your calling card.

Former Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Preston are being patient, before hitting long to Kevin Davies. They will want to get the ball up to him to allow their wingers to get forward and support. He has the potential to cause Forest a lot of problems.

"When they lose the ball, they are playing a high line and getting right into Forest to try and break up their nice short football.

"That comes with a risk though. Preston have to be aware of runners exploiting the space in behind."

You can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Plenty of empty seats inside Deepdale, but some are brave enough to sit on the front row, risking getting wet. One lady in a pink poncho, the sort you get on the log flume, stands out. Forest pressing, attack ended by Jamie Mackie's lunge, conceding a free-kick.

James in Winchester: In the 1956/57 season, Tom Finney won the FWA award for Preston North End, whilst in the same season Alfredo do Stefano won the European Footballer of the Year award! Cracker. James, Winchester.

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at London Road: "The Peterborough fans are furious with this one. They reckon Nile Ranger is offside when he latches on to Louis Thompson's through ball before finishing. Nicely taken though. To think we have another game and half of this to go."

Rhythmic banging accompanies the opening action in Preston. A drum? Perhaps. PNE have started well, looking comfortable on the luminous orange ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Half-time in Madrid, Real hold the lead thanks to the Pepe deflected strike/Insua own goal. They deserve it, and perhaps should have more.

My word, it's filthy at Deepdale, the sort of night that would make a brass monkey cry. Forest's Djamal Abdoun looks freezing, but Preston's Kevin Davies looks warm enough to be on the beach. We're under way...

Henry, Lancaster: I think we are overlooking a large factor in the dismissal of Laudrup. I don't think it was necessarily his results that got him sacked but his poor relationship with the chairman. Perhaps this is demonstrated by the fact he was sacked at the end of the transfer window, when usually dismissals are done before it.

If you're wondering what's been happening in Madrid over the past few minutes, the answer is not a lot. The niggliness has abated slightly, but it still bubbles under the surface. Real looking more likely for a second than Atletico are for an equaliser, all played against the backdrop of the soundtrack from the tuneful home fans.

Preston: Rudd, Wiseman, Clarke, Wright, Buchanan, Humphrey, Welsh, Keane, Kilkenny, Holmes, Kevin Davies. Subs: Stuckmann, Laird, Beavon, Gallagher, Garner, King, Hume.

Nottm Forest: De Vries, Jara, Collins, Lascelles, Harding, Halford, Moussi, Abdoun, Mackie, Derbyshire, Cox. Subs: Darlow, Henderson, Reid, Greening, Paterson, Majewski, Osborn.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Those lovely chaps at 5 live sports extra have hit the airwaves from Deepdale. Give it a listen.

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Deepdale: "Warm-ups (very necessary) completed and the minutes are ticking down to kick-off. A very winnable tie against League One strugglers Sheffield United awaits the victors but the crowd inside Deepdale could be described as sparse. The driving rain might have something to do with that."

I'm delighted the Guernsey game has beaten the weather. Let me know if you're watching football of any level in apocalyptic conditions. Speaking of which...

Matt, Isle of Sheppey: Some breaking news for the lower league football fans amongst us: Guernsey v Sittingbourne is on! After a delayed flight the visitors have landed safely, kick off delayed until 20:30.