PAWELL Abbott blasted Preston into a first half lead with the sort of performance which will give Craig Brown food for thought when he picks his team on Saturday.

The young Polish international drilled home a left-footed shot from the centre of the penalty area on 35 minutes after picking up a Paul McKenna pass.

It was the least Preston deserved, having laid siege to an out-of-sort Forest's goal mouth from the kick-off.

After Lee Cartwright, then Brian O'Neil, had long-range efforts saved, David Healy had a 25-yard effort collected by Forest keeper Darren Ward on nine minutes.

Ward again denied Healy, on 21 minutes, when he shot from 18 yards and a minute later his cross was cleared by Wes Morgan.

On 28 minutes, Healy blasted inches wide from close-range after being set up by Graham Alexander.

Preston pushed for a second after being boosted by Abbott's goal.

But Forest were much livelier in the second half, and threatened to break through sevral times.

Marlon Harewood saw first a 35 yard effort then an 18-yard shot go wide before Michael Keane blocked Matthieu Louis-Jean's cross.

Keane then attempted to drill a shot home but was blocked by Wes Morgan before limping off injured.

Stephen McPhail summed up Forest's night 15 minutes from time when blasted over the bar with just Jonathan Gould to beat.

With the game opening up Forest twice cleared the ball off their own goal line before winning a succession of corners in injury time.

But the North End defence led by Lucketti and Jackson held out to earn the White a well earned victory.

Nottingham Forest 0

Preston North End 1

Abbott 35