Praising both the passing and the energy levels of the Reds, Ferguson commented: "Forest were the better team.
"At half-time I thought we would go on and win it, but unfortunately there really wasn't any improvement in the performance in the second half."
Barnsley striker Iain Hume will arrive on loan at Deepdale in time for the weekend as Ferguson wheels and deals in a bid to boost his side's lowly league position.