An early goal by Eoin Doyle for the hosts, coupled with Preston's defensive solidity and Nottingham Forest's struggled in front of goal, meant the game was an uphill struggle for the visitors from the off.
Simon Grayson's side have now kept five clean sheets in a row and go above the Reds in the Championship table.
For Forest it is just two goals in six games, 19th place and a home game against Derby County this Friday that will have many supporters fearing the worst.
Speaking afterwards, Freedman said: "I've seen enough over six or seven games that we are in a very false position.
"I understand that everybody at the football club would be concerned but I'm certainly not from what I see.
"You're going to have difficult moments in a season and this is one - I don't see us anywhere near a relegation battle."