Both teams going into this FA Cup 4th Round tie, winning against higher opposition teams in the 3rd round which were both very thrilling.
Preston went into this game making one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Coventry at Deepdale, which saw suspended Kevin Davies being replaced by the young Josh Brownhill.
Forest named a starting team which contains talent and in-form players, which included Jamie Paterson, Andy Reid and Jamie Mackie.
Both teams walked out onto the damp soaking pitch whilst it was being stabbed with pitchforks to drain the rain, no effect on the game though.
The game started off with both teams playing with a fast tempo, which was fairly even.
Jamie Paterson however made use of the Forest possession, the former Walsall man had an effort on goal, but that went adrift of Rudd’s left-hand post.
From then on, Forest went on to try and create a few more chances and grab something, Simon Cox was twisting and turning in the Preston penalty area and getting a shot on goal, but Rudd made an equal save and the on loan Norwich keeper tipped it behind for a Forest corner.
The Championship side almost grabbed a goal from Rudd’s conceded corner, but only for Greg Halford to miss after finding space in the box.
Preston then showed what their made of.
Brilliant play from John Welsh who released Humphrey who made a great run to get a cross into Gallagher, but the Leicester man had his shot unfortunately blocked and it was eventually hooked away.
Forest earned a lot of corners in the first half, Danny Collins almost got the ball in the back of the net from one, jumping highest to get his head on the ball but it sailed over Rudd’s bar.
Forest then went to try and enter half-time in the lead, good play from them which involved Mackie making use of a Jara cross inside the box by attempting a shot, but the Scot’s attempt went into the Forest crowd.
Half-time came and Simon Grayson no doubt, will be having a team talk full of positivity.
The second half got underway and like the beginning of the first half, fairly even.
In-fact, it was almost deja vu with Forest winning corners and not creating anything from them.
Preston were trying to create chances and get shots on goal whenever they can, Garner and Gallagher both having shots from range but Forest stopper Darlow was well tested.
Forest then made a double change, Jamie Mackie and Simox Cox were replaced by Darius Henderson and Djamel Abdoun.
Preston then made their first sub of the night, Humphrey came off and Lee Holmes came on.
Holmes was getting involved since come off the bench, he then also tested Darlow from long range with a rocket of a strike but Darlow did well to parry his shot to safety.
Forest then made their final change of the game, Polish international Majewski was replaced by Matt Derbyshire along with North End making their second change, Kilkenny was taken off for Iain Hume.
Soon after, Andy Reid who is having a great season with Forest, curled a shot on goal from a fair way out but that didn’t bother Rudd.
Hume with minutes of being on the pitch also went to test Darlow but the youngster was equal to it.
Preston were then pushing and pushing to go on and try and win it, King who came on after coming on with Joe Garner going off, had a shot on the edge of the Forest area
but Forest hooked it clear.
There was then three minutes added on for either team to grab a winner and prevent it from going into a replay on a Tuesday night at Deepdale.
Forest then had a corner which Preston gained possession from, they burst down field with pace and then won a free kick in Brownhill territory.
Brownhill was the man to step up and take, he did and it was straight at Karl Darlow.
The referee then signaled for full time and without a doubt Preston are the team coming out of this more positive, facing a tough Forest side with a good home record and ripping the Championship up.
Now it’s Preston’s time to show how good they are at home, two Championship teams have played at Deepdale this season and lost, Blackpool in the Capital One Cup 1st Round and of course Ipswich in the previous FA Cup round.
The replay will take place Tuesday 4th February at Deepdale.
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