Nottingham Forest 1-2 Preston North End (EFL Championship) 08.05.21

Whilst many Nottingham Forest supporters’ interest on this particular game, was second to that of what was happening at Pride Park today, the Reds still had the matter of trying to finish their season in some sort of positive style that would suggest a more promising future outlook, and although it didn’t perhaps go to plan, it did start in thunderous fashion for the Reds.

Manchester United loanee James Garner might not be around next season but he gave Forest what could be a parting lift, a thumping effort in the rain on 17 minutes as the young midfielder picked the ball up from 25 yards to set leash for his fourth Garibaldi goal right into the top corner.

That lead was kept until shortly after half time when Preston levelled on 53 through Bayliss who tapped home into an empty net after Sinclair raced through, just a minute after the Reds might have doubled their advantage when Krovinovic curled wide. A chance very much rued.

Forest pushed to regain their advantage with further chances from Grabban, well saved and Yates, well wide but it was the away side that took the lead on 67 when Lindsay headed home from close range.

The defeat means Forest end their season in seventeenth, rain falling on a miserable campaign where the club only managed to beat two top ten teams home and away.

Plenty for Manager Chris Hughton to do in the summer with a reshuffle already mentioned by the man himself. More changes will be made to a side that must do better going forward, with one positive coming from Derby County avoiding relegation in their draw with Sheffield Wednesday today, in doing so at least Forest will get to play against their biggest rival for the Brian Clough Trophy both home and away in next seasons Championship. Something to look forward to at least.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Christie, Mbe Soh, Worrall, Ribeiro, Yates, Garner, Knockaert, Krovinovic (Mighten 74), Grabban (Murray 82), Taylor.

Preston North End: Iversen, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, van den Berg, Ledson (Whiteman 70), Bayliss (Barkhuizen 70), Cunningham, Browne, Evans, Sinclair (Potts 81).

Venue: City Ground

*Main image @NFFC action from a wet City Ground against Preston.