Preston North End boss Alex Neil fumes at Nottingham Forest's winning penalty at Deepdale

Lewis Grabban scored the game's only goal from the penalty spot but Neil felt it been a double hit from the striker who slipped as he stepped up to take it.

Referee Tim Robinson allowed it to stand though, much to the dismay of Neil who had words with the West Sussex official on the pitch after the final whistle.

Darnell Fisher had given the penalty away, handling the ball as he stumbled in front of Forest midfielder Cafu.

Neil said: "Was it a clear penalty? I wouldn't say so but I understand why it was potentially given because it has hit his (Fisher's) arm.

"Whether he was on his way down or he intentionally does work it with his arm, is up for debate.

"The disappointing thing is the next bit - the next bit has decided the game.

"It's two touches, I have seen it back numerous times.

"He goes to hit it with his right foot, he has actually gone across his body and you can see the ball loop into the net.

"The only way it can do that is if it catches something or hits something - he has certainly taken two touches."

Neil felt the double touch should have been seen by one or more of the officials.

"It is a dead ball, there are not a lot of things to take into account and look at, there are not players about the pitch or anything," said the Scotsman.

"You have to watch the ball, watch the goalie on the line, watch for guys encroaching. It's very straight forward.

"You can see by the players' reaction straight away, especially Declan Rudd because he in the one trying to deal with the penalty.

"He runs up to the ref immediately."

Neil was happy with North End's second-half performance which came after a drab first 45 minutes.

They twice hit the bar through Tom Barkhuizen and Ben Davies, with Barkhuizen and Paul Gallagher denied by fine saves from Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba.

Neil said: "I was really pleased with the second half,

"I thought the two wide players in the first half were poor, I didn't think they had done enough for us.

"I asked for more from them and both were better in the second half.

"Sean Maguire was good throughout, I thought Daniel Johnson was good, Tom Bayliss coming in for his first start had a good solid match.

"We did enough to win the game, no question about that. Nottingham Forest had one shot on target all game which shouldn't have stood."

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