Best team lost, says Forest boss Billy Davies after Cup win

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies admits his side did not deserve to progress to The FA Cup Fifth Round after earning a hard-fought 2-0 replay win at Preston.

The Championship side are through to the next phase thanks to goals from Jamie Mackie and substitute Darius Henderson, but League One Preston dominated for large spells and were extremely unfortunate not to find the back of the net on a wet and windy night at Deepdale.

Davies was pleased with the outcome but had immense sympathy for his opposite number Simon Grayson, admitting Preston should have gone through at Forest’s expense.

He said: "The better team lost the game. We scored the goals – we scored some very good goals. We defended our box very well.

"But I’ve got to say that great credit has got to go to the home team. I thought they were the better team. And I think we were very fortunate.

"We’ve played a lot of times this season and dominated matches and not won them – tonight it was the opposite. And they must be very disappointed."

Davies continued: "We’re in the next round, that’s the most important thing. And it was a battle and a scrap. The home team played with good energy and good application.

"We just didn’t move the ball around well enough, we didn’t show enough quality in our passing and possession. But we certainly dug in and defended reasonably well. They must be sick – because they deserved to win."

Goalscorer Mackie echoed his manager’s sentiments and hopes he can now embark on a prolific run in front of goal.

He added: "Delighted to be through. It was a tough game. We thought it would be. They played well. We can play far, far better than that. However, we’ve proved that we’re resilient. We were maybe a bit lucky as well.

"We fought and we’re 14 matches unbeaten now.

"I’m delighted with my goal. I scored the other day and hopefully I’ll get on a little run now. The most pleasing thing is that we’re in the next round of The Cup, though."