Dave Seddon's verdict: Preston North End 1 Nottingham Forest 1 - A draw might not be enough for PNE in the play-off race

Preston North End have reached the stage of the season where a draw and very decent display against the team in fifth place could be regarded as not quite enough.
Preston striker Jayden Stockley challenges in the air with Nottingham Forest skipper Michael Dawson at DeepdalePreston striker Jayden Stockley challenges in the air with Nottingham Forest skipper Michael Dawson at Deepdale
Preston striker Jayden Stockley challenges in the air with Nottingham Forest skipper Michael Dawson at Deepdale

Beating Nottingham Forest would have squeezed PNE up to the top six, as it is they still have ground to make up with only three games left.

The next of those comes on Wednesday teatime at Brentford – a side who have won seven on the spin and have designs on automatic promotion.

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It was no doubt with that challenge in mind which led to Alex Neil’s sense of frustration post-match.

Jayden Stockley turns to celebrate after scoring for PNE against Nottingham ForestJayden Stockley turns to celebrate after scoring for PNE against Nottingham Forest
Jayden Stockley turns to celebrate after scoring for PNE against Nottingham Forest

An early penalty which PNE gave away – labelled ‘cheap’ by Neil – was the main source of his frustration.

His side recovered from it within 10 minutes to draw level and then had the game’s better chances to win it.

Not that there were any missed sitters, more a case of Forest’s defence putting in timely blocks – Brad Potts and Tom Barkhuizen both denied in that manner.

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At the other end, bar the early penalty, the North End back line were very good.

Tom Barkhuizen sees his shot blocked by Joe WorrallTom Barkhuizen sees his shot blocked by Joe Worrall
Tom Barkhuizen sees his shot blocked by Joe Worrall

The fact Ben Davies didn’t make it until half-time because of injury and Patrick Bauer’s hamstring tightened up on him, made the strong defensive display all the more impressive. In fact PNE had injuries to two other key players to contend with.

Alan Browne didn’t make the game at all because of a calf strain, Davies left the action in the 44th minute and Ben Pearson didn’t make it out of the dressing room for the second half.

But the Lilywhites coped without their ‘holy trinity’ and in fact coped well.

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Jordan Storey came on for Davies and was excellent, Ryan Ledson likewise when replacing Pearson.

Andrew Hughes and Lewis Grabban challenge, watched by PNE boss Alex NeilAndrew Hughes and Lewis Grabban challenge, watched by PNE boss Alex Neil
Andrew Hughes and Lewis Grabban challenge, watched by PNE boss Alex Neil

Both had been unfortunate to be left out of the starting XI in the first place and responded in the right way by impressing when summoned from the bench.

Despite those positives, nagging away at Neil was the conceding of the spot kick which threatened to undo his tactical planning.

He went 4-4-2 with the plan to be more direct and stop Forest playing on the break.

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So when North End lost the ball and allowed the visitors to break on them inside the first five minutes, conceding the penalty as they tried to recover, it annoyed Neil greatly.

PNE left-back Andrew Hughes helps Brad Potts up at the final whistlePNE left-back Andrew Hughes helps Brad Potts up at the final whistle
PNE left-back Andrew Hughes helps Brad Potts up at the final whistle

Lewis Grabban rolled the penalty into the net, Forest’s only shot on target all day.

PNE didn’t have to chase for long, Jayden Stockley getting on the end of a Brad Potts cross to score his second goal in four days.

Stockley was a real plus on Saturday and not just because of his goal.

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He won lots in the air against Joe Worrall and Michael Dawson, that a really good old-fashioned tussle between centre-backs and striker.

It was some surprise when he was substituted with eight minutes remaining as PNE pushed for a late winner, Neil opting for a change of shape and approach.

In fairness, North End did create two very good opportunities once he had come off.

But who knows how useful that aerial threat might have been in those final stages.

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With the season now entering the home strait, Neil’s men are in a seven-way chase for sixth place.

Cardiff, Swansea, Millwall, Derby, Bristol City and Blackburn are the others.

If North End come out of the Brentford game still in contention, then things become very interesting.

Putting the frustration of getting one point instead of three aside, there was much to take from the way they played against Forest.

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The solidity of the defence was praised by Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi who conceded his forward players didn’t get much of a sniff.

Brad Potts, rewarded with a start after his midweek goal, did well as a right-winger and it was his cross whichStockley tucked away.

Joe Rafferty continued to impress at right-back and at the moment has to be considered first-choice there.

Then to see Storey and Ledson play well off the bench was heartening.

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Stockley had already put an early header over the bar before Forest took the lead.

Sean Maguire was tackled 10 yards outside the Forest pass, the short pass into him not pleasing Neil.

Nuno Da Costa led the counter attack up field, Bauer backing off him as he reached the box.

When Bauer moved to put in a challenge, Da Costa turned away from goal and was bumped by Pearson.

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Referee Jeremy Simpson who it must be said didn’t have his best game, pointed to the spot. It was on the soft side, a case of Pearson giving him a decision to make.

Grabban sent Declan Rudd the wrong way, rolling the spot kick right-footed into the bottom corner.

North End’s equaliser at the quarter-hour mark was well worked.

Rafferty’s chipped pass down the inside right channel was chased by Potts.

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He brought it down with one touch, steadied himself and then drilled in a low cross which Stockley guided past the keeper with a smart finish inside the six-yard box.

The remainder of the first half was pretty even before North End edged the second, certainly on chances.

Potts set the tone with a first-time drive which only just cleared the bar nine seconds after half-time.

Bauer’s goalbound header from a Ledson corner was kicked off the line by Ben Watson.

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In the 64th minute, Potts was ready to celebrate when he latched on to Stockley’s header and moved into the box. getting a shot away.

But Carl Jenkinson slid across with a fine smothering block to take the ball behind.

Paul Gallagher’s ball over the top of the Forest defence allowed Maguire room to cut into the box and hit a low shot which keeper Brice Samba saved with his legs.

With the clock in the 90th minute, Barkhuizen exchanged passes with Josh Harrop, rode a tackle and then shot – Dawson throwing himself in the way to block.