However after a minute of there 1st leg semi-final at the City Ground, few would have predicted the Welsh outfit would have even made it to Wembley. An immediate red card for defender Neil Taylor gave the hosts the initiative to go on and take a solid lead to the Liberty Stadium - yet it was the visitors themselves who looked the more dangerous for the first 45 minutes of the tie. Forest improved after the break and Earnshaw had an effort correctly ruled out for offside, but Swansea held firm and took a goalless draw back to Wales. With home advantage for the 2nd leg, the Swans did make it count and despite an excellent Forest performance, particularly in the 2nd half once more, it was Swansea who marched on, thanks largely to 2 goals in 5 first half minutes from Dobbie and Britton. Earnshaw gave the East-Midlanders hope with 10 minutes left and as Forest laid seige onto De Vries goal, Earnshaw hit a post in a frantic finale. Pratley wrapped up a 3-1 win, with Camp at the wrong end of the pitch, leaving the goal unguarded.

In the other semi-final, Cardiff City, like Forest another beaten team from last seasons play-offs were beaten 3-0 by Reading.  Again the 1st leg ended deadlocked but the Royals hammered Dave Jones' men 3-0 in the vital 2nd leg. This proved to be Jones' last game in charge after sacked soon afterwards. Billy Davies would also suffer the same fate at Forest in mid-june.

86,581 packed Wembley for the showpiece final, and 2 more quickfire 1st half goals put Swansea firmly in control. Livewire Scott Sinclair converting a 21st minute penalty then a minute later he finished a slick move to tap home number 2. Dobbie added a 3rd just before halftime to seemingly put the game beyond the Royals. But Reading came out blazing in the 2nd half and pulled 2 back inside 15 minutes, Hunt and Mills finding the target. The game swung to either end after that until Sinclair completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes. After a foul inside the area, Sinclair once more tucked home from the spot. Swansea held on after that to take a 4-2 win and head into the Premierhip.

For the other 3 sides, Forest, Cardiff and Reading, another season in the Championship awaits, whilst they will be joined by big-guns West Ham and Birmingam. Blackpool, Brighton, Southampton and Peterborough United are the other newcomers.

The Reds continued their impressive Championship form with a first ever win at Coventry's almost-empty Ricoh Arena. However things didn't go all to plan after sloppy defending gifted ex-prisoner Marlon King a tap-in to open the scoring midway through the 1st half. That lead didn't last long though, leading marksman Lewis McGugan firing another long range effort into the back of the net. 'Keeper Westwood, rated the best stopper outside the Premier League on BBC's late kick-off show the previous night, should have done much better as McGugan's well-hit shot was straight at the Sky Blues number 1. As Forest began to get their game together, they took the lead 9 minutes before the break. After good work by Tudgay, Moussi ran onto a pass, only to pull up injured but with home fans cheering at the Frenchmans obvious injury, he kept the ball in and his cross was smartly finished by the goal-short Earnshaw. Moussi was instantly replaced by McKenna and the Reds saw out the rest of the 1st half.

After the break, City went very direct at the visitors but with Chambers and Morgan so commanding in the air, Camp was rarely threatened. As the half wore on, the standard of football at times became dire. Forest began to look jaded and seemed happy to close out the game. In the end, the referees final whistle put everone out of their misery! Another excellent 3 points for Forest, which was well-earned once again, they just about deserved it after playing some decent football in the opening period. Moussi's injury seems worse than first feared, it looks as though the midfielder will be sidelined between 6 and 8 weeks - a big blow without doubt.

Some extremely late goals elsewhere meant Forest stay in a challenging 4th position and with a home tie against a Watford side who's own excellent run has come to a shuddering halt recently, the Trentsiders will be aiming for a 6th championship win on the bounce and in doing so maintain what is an extraordinary home run.

Forest finally overcame their Pride Park hoodoo after adding to poor Derby County's increasing problems. In a tight game of few chances, Forest always looked comfortable and controlled most of the 1st half, although it was the hosts who should have taken the lead after Morgan was too easily beaten by Addison who pulled the ball back for Porter but with the goal gaping, somehow Chambers managed to deflect the ball away. That proved to be the Reds only let-off and the Rams 1 golden chance. McGugan came closest for the visitors with a free-kick which was saved low-down by Bywater whilst Lynch was hauled down in the area only for referee Salisbury to not even consider a spot-kick. 

After the interval, Forest soon lost their way but the feeble hosts failed to put any serious pressure on the Forest goal. Porter completely missed an early header and Camp had a comfortable save to make from debutant Davies. However, after Earnshaw and Adebola both joined the action, Forest again found some flow and it was  former Ram Earnshaw who scored a brilliant 79th minute goal, latching onto an Anderson knock down to drill it home first time from just outside the area. Derby continued to offer no threat and the comedy substitutions of Savage and Commons, who days later signed for Celtic, entertained the capacity crowd much more than the Rams bland football. Even 5 minutes of stoppage time failed to spark the hosts and Moxey capped off a shocking home display with an equally dismal 2nd yellow card. Moussi and Tyson were honours even for the man-of-the-match award, both possibly having their finest game in a Red shirt.

"Forest finally win at Pride Park and in doing so, complete a memorable Derby double in the space of just 3 weeks!"

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 BRISTOL CITY 0

Bristol City were the latest team to try to break Forest's extraordinary home league record. Forest boss Davies warned his players of a potential banana skin, but City didnt appear to come to The City Ground with a gameplan to win the game, but simply to frustrate Forest as much and long as possible, and it was only once the 4th official displayed 4 minutes additional time to add-on that the visitors pushed men forward.

After a slightly disjointed first half, with Tudgay and inparticular a splendid McGugan free-kick testing former England 'keeper James in good saves. Straight after the break Chambers continued his own goalscoring exploits, heading home a Cohen free-kick, with a slight deflection off a defender seeing the ball cross the line in slow-motion. The game rather peterred out in the 2nd half, with little in terms of chances for either side. This was no classic but another valuable 3 points.

"The Reds may not have hit the heights of last seasons free-flowing football, but with 5 wins in a row and 7 wins and a draw in 8, Forest are THE form side at a time when it started to go wrong 12 months ago."

Next up for the Reds is an eye-catching FA Cup tie at West Ham. The Hammers have proved a good cup side this season but have been marooned in the bottom 3 all season. Forest have nothing to fear.  

Following boxing days postponement at Middlesbrough due to the freezing conditions which swept across the UK, the Reds first festive game was the big one, at home to Derby County. Forest did not disapoint and romped to a magnificent 5-2 triumph. A result and performance which will live long in the memory for every Forest fan. Goals from Luke Chambers (2 mins), and braces from former Rams Marcus Tudgay and Robert Earnshaw wiped the smile off all the smug Derby supporters', who actually felt their mediocre side could end Forest's 15 month unbeaten home league record.

After the highs of that famous night, The Reds next outing was always going to be an anti-climax, and with Barnsley the next visitors to the City Ground, a side Forest always seem to struggle to grind out any kind of result, Forest's unbeaten run was put to the test. A goal in either half put the Tykes 2-0 up, and following the 2nd goal, The Reds fell apart, but thanks to some woeful finishing, Barnsley couldn't put the game to bed. and were soon made to pay. A slice of good fortune favoured the Reds when Chris Gunter went tumbling just outside the box, however the referee didnt think twice about pointing to the spot. Leading scorer Lewis McGugan blasted the ball into the net, and that moment proved crucial. Suddenly Forest found some form and it suddenly looked likely The Reds would get something from a game that should of been out of sight. Following a scramble, Nathan Tyson prodded a rebound into the Trent End goal to tie-up a 2-2 draw. 

Forest's final game of the hectic period was a trip to Portman Road to face Roy Keanes mis-firing Ipswich. After a tight first 45 minutes, a bizarre own goal put the Reds 1-0 up in stoppage time and despite the hosts launching every ball into the box, Forest looked comfortable even after playing 7 minutes of added-on time in the 2nd period.

With a break from league action until 15th January, Forest next face Preston in the FA Cup on saturday, but do so sitting in a good league position. The Reds lie 7th on 37 points, 2 points adrift of 6th place and 6 points off 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, however Forest have played fewer than any other side around them and have as many as 3 games in hand over some teams above them.

The Reds were made to work hard by a gutsy 'Boro side, but to no avail as the Teesiders became the latest side to leave Trentside without 3 points, making it 25 league games over an incredible 13 months unbeaten.

In truth, the 1st half was almost forgettable. Managerless Middlesbrough failed to play like a side usuallly does once a manager is disposed off and had only a couple of sights of Lee Camp's Trent End goal. Leroy Lita had what turned out to be their best chance of the game, but he drilled his effort just wide after the visitors took too long to get in a shot from inside the penalty area. Forest enjoyed much of the possession but lacked any cutting edge and far too often played the ball sideways or backwards. Dexter Blackstock did however miss a golden chance after collecting a mis-cued McGugan shot/pass and with only 'Keeper Steele to beat, the former QPR man failed to hit the target. Forest did end the half on a high and the best moment of the first 45 minutes arrived when a rare flowing move resulted in the recalled Majewski firing a thunderous effort against the underside of the bar. Not quite close enough for a TV replay, but Steele was nowhere near and beaten all ends up.

Forest were much improved after the break, although not at their usual City Ground best. Cohen failed to connect properly in the first minute of the 2nd half when perfectly positioned in front of goal. However, just 5 minutes later McGugan's free-kick flew past everbody and found the far corner of the net for his 6th goal in 7 games. After that, Forest were quite comfortable, Camp only had regulation crosses to deal with and the Reds defence had just a couple of scrambles to clear. At the other end sub Adebola, who caused problems after coming on, had a header well saved towards the end. Fellow sub McGoldrick had a chance to notch his first City Ground goal but rifled his shot just over after Forest broke away right at the death.

After a slow start to the campaign, a win was needed for Forest. It may not have been classic Forest but 3 points and a clean sheet was what was required. Man of the Match; No-one was outstanding but defender Luke Chambers had a solid 90 minutes, was faultless, barely lost a header to Boyd and to my counting, committed just 1 foul all night. Next up, Keane's Ipswich.

Forest Skipper Paul McKenna produced his best performance for several months and it was his long range effort that Simonsen failed to hold and the former Everton stopper was unable to get back before the ball bounced almost slow-motion across the line. Much earlier Richard Cresswell had prodded in from close-range to give the struggling Blades a 6th minute lead, despite early Forest pressure which saw Blackstoock force Simonsen into an important block. Forest then failed to gather momentum for the rest of the half and were forced on numerous occasions to pass the ball backwards or across the backline. It was, in fact Lee Camp who was forced into 2 great saves to keep the score at 1-0. The 2nd inparticular was outstanding, Camp was at full stretch to palm a looping shot around the post. These kind of stops are what Forest fans take for granted from the soon to be Northern Ireland International.

The Reds improved dramatically after the break, although in truth still struggled to break down a stubborn and well-drilled Blades midfield and backline. Once McKenna equalised, his 1st of the season and just his 2nd for the club, The Reds did find another gear and despite 6 minutes of stoppage time couldn't quite manage to conjure up that golden opportunity. Man of the Match must have to go to McKenna, after being fortunate to stay in the side of late, he finally showed why Billy Davies continues to keep faith in his skipper. Full-back Chris Gunter was also superb and is beginning to become even more of a serious threat going forward.

Just a few short of 20,000 were once again at The City Ground as Forest stretched their unbeaten run to 8 and remained unbeaten through the calender month of September.

Forest now sit in 11th with 12 points and face 14th placed Doncaster Rovers on saturday who have won 2 and drawn 2 at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Reds have a poor record at Rovers new home and PL has punted for a change in Reds fortune, a slender 1-0 away win.

After sharing the opening exchanges, with the Swans looking capable of knocking the ball around, Forest soon got on top and took complete control for most of the entire 90 minutes. Chris Cohen and Chris Gunter both tested the Swans early on before De Vries bought down Blackstock after hesitant defending. Despite furious protests from several Swans players, it appeared a pretty clear decision, but the visitors should have dealt with the initial hopeful ball forward and not put their keeper or the referee in that position. McGugan stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home superbly, showing his team-mates how to take a perfect spot-kick.

Swansea did have a couple of tentative breakaways but Forest number 1 Lee Camp was never called into serious action, Paul Anderson had a great chance after a flowing Forest move but his volley was well-saved by De Vries. In the 2nd period, Swansea looked threatening and for a short spell Forest couldn't get the ball off the visitors' ,but once an attack broke down, the hosts breakaway proved deadly. McGugan started the move, carried on and after recieving the ball back from Gunter, produced a sublime piece of skill which saw the ball somehow loop into the top corner of the net. The game seemed to fizzle out after that with Swansea accepting another away defeat. Subs Adebola, McGoldrick and Majewski all combined from Camp's long kick to seal the 3 points. The latter on for McGugan who recieved a standing ovation from all sides of The City Ground, something no-one could have predicted just a fortnight ago. Just into stoppage time Camp made a rare error having failed to hold onto a tame shot and dutchman Cedric Van Der Gun pounced to stab home a late consolation for Swansea.

The late goal somewhat flattered the visitors who were never in the game and took the gloss off, just a little, of what was Forest best display of the season so far. McGugan may be Forest's gem at the moment but man of the match honours went to centre-back Luke Chambers, who this time last season lost his place to Kelvin Wilson. A turnaround in fortunes this time around?

Next up for Forest, Gary Speeds misfiring Sheffield United travel trentside. The Reds will be boosted by PL's punt pointing to a 3-0 success for the Reds.

Hull had the better of the opening exchanges with soon to be Northern Ireland number 1 Lee Camp superbly tipping a Jimmy Bullard drive over the bar. Midfielder Bostock then had 2 chances either side of Forest's best 1st half effort. Lewis McGugan, fresh from a 2 goal blitz at Deepdale last Tuesday saw a long-range free kick go just past the keepers right hand post. Camp meanwhile had to save smartly from Bostock whilst watching another effort drift wide. The Reds had a penalty claim turned down before halftime by referee Mark Halsey.

Into the 2nd half, Forest quickly asserted themselves and produced 45 minutes any Championship side would struggle to contend with. However, amazingly The Reds somehow failed to get the goal their dominance deserved. Luke Chambers was the most guilty after failing to connect cleanly from Lewis McGugan's corner when just yards out in front of goal. Earnshaw then missed with another header before finally putting the ball into the net but failing to beat the linesmans flag. Earnshaw did however pick up a knock in the process and was replaced by Blackstock. 4 minutes of injury was typical of the 2nd period, Forest pushing forward, dominating possession and asking the hosts questions. City though defended resolutely and maintained their record of not conceding a goal at the KC so far this term.

Next up for Forest is the visit of Swansea City on Saturday, after 3 draws at home, The Reds must put a win on the board sooner rather than later, 11 points from 8 games would represent a good, solid start to the campaign as all the focus must turn to the job in hand rather than what's not happened at the club since the end of last season. Lets also remember last season Forest amassed just 7 points from 8 games, with just 1 win and 3 defeats (all at home).

PL's punt makes a surprise return: FOREST 2 SWANSEA 0

Despite pushing Reading right back in the opening 15 minutes, it was the hosts who opened the scoring after some woeful defending allowed Alex Pearce an easy stab into the back of the net. Forest struggled to re-group for some-time after but still continued to look capable of creating chances. Into the 2nd half, Earnshaw grabbed the equaliser after an astonishing howler from the Royals number 1 Federici. After a sweeping Reds counter attack, Anderson's final ball landed into the stoppers hands, only for his clearance to bounce off a defender leaving Earnshaw to round the keeper and slot into an empty net. Both sides had later chances, with Lee Camp making some excellent saves, whilst substitute Lewis McGugan gave the host defence some problems and Chris Cohen had a strong penalty claim not even waved away by the referee who refused to even acknowledge the incident.

Forest's impressive away following of 2,176 was in stark contrast to that of local rivals Derby County, who made the terribly long journey to Coventry City for a lunch time kick off. Just 773 Rams fans made the trip to the Ricoh Arena, a trip made worse after a 2-1 reverse for the self-proclaimed 'best fans in the league.'

Needing to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit, Billy Davies opted for the usual 4-4-2 line up with Earnshaw coming into the side up front with Paul Anderson dropped to the bench. The only other significant change was to swap full backs with Perch going to LB and Gunter reverting to his favoured right back spot.

It all started so well for the Reds; following a slight scare when a Brett Ormerod shot flew over the bar, Forest took the lead on the night when a Majewski through ball eventually made its way through to Earnshaw who fired home with his left foot past Matt Gilkes to send the sell-out City Ground crowd wild.

With the tie level, the home side pushed forward for the remainder of the half but to no avail. Blackpool saw lots of the ball but failed to trouble Forest to any great degree. It was in the final moments when the Reds looked to have a great opportunity to get their second when Blackstock burst through only to be flagged offside wrongly by the linesman. Despite this, confidence was undoubtedly high that Forest could get the all important next goal.

That confidence, however, took a knock ten minutes into the second period when DJ Campbell found himself free in the Forest box. Camp was perhaps foolish to rush out as he did and the 'Pool striker expertly lifted the ball over him and into the net. It was now the turn of the 2,000 away fans to celebrate but the Forest crowd soon found their voice to lift their team once more.

It was Earnshaw again who settled the nerves with his second to restore parity to the tie. A ball into the box from the right was partially controlled by Blackstock and subsequently missed by two Blackpool defenders. It appeared to take an age to wriggle free but Earnie bided his time and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from only a few yards out.

From here, the momentum seemed to pass back to Forest but it didn't last as it wasn't long before there was a goal at the other end. The substitute Stephen Dobbie accepted a pass from the left and let fly towards the Forest goal. In a scene eerily reminiscent to one scored by Yeovil in our last play-off campaign, the ball took a nasty deflection off Kelvin Wilson to send it into the bottom corner.

This time, there would be no way back and only a few minutes later the goal arrived which would shatter the hopes of every Forest fan and player inside the ground. Perch lost possession in his own half to Dobbie who fed Campbell who had exposed the Forest defence using the space provided by the out of position Perch. A neat one-two then allowed him to delicately curve the ball into the left corner of the net past Lee Camp and hand the tie to the Seasiders.

Blackpool and Campbell in particular had not finished though and further tormented Forest by scoring his third, Blackpool's fourth when a Dobbie shot was only parried by Camp straight into Campbell's path who easily slotted home. The few thousand who left at this point missed Adebola's consolation which came about after a 'Pool defender missed the long ball allowing the big striker through on goal in the last minute. Gilkes saved but the ball eventually broke free to allow Adebola the easiest and probably the most unimportant goal he will ever score.

The referee signalled time and the Blackpool staff and players charged towards the away end to celebrate. It was a nice touch that a significant number of Forest supporters remained behind to not only clap off their own players but also the victorious Blackpool players who showed their gratitude for this fine act of sportsmanship.

So, it's all over. Not getting to promoted is one thing but the manner in which we keep getting beat in these play-offs is very hard to take. Have any other team conceded four goals in the second leg after half time every time they have featured? I'd be surprised. Still, it's been a great season and there is genuine hope that, with the right additions and hopefully Davies staying put, we can challenge again next season.

The fixtures are only a month away...

After most of the second string made rare starts last time out at Blackpool the 'A' team returned to the fold as the Likes of Earnshaw, Blackstock and Majewski all played from the start.

This was never going to be much of a test taking into account the Reds astonishing home form this season and visitors Plymouth Argyle having been comfortably relegated to League One.

Forest took the bull by the horns in the first half to wrap up the points before the interval. First Earnshaw latched onto to a superb Majewski through ball before dinking home after the Reds striker had missed a similar chance just minutes before. Good work by Moussi ensured a second goal shortly after when the French midfielder's powerful cross was turned in by an Argyle defender.

The second period was a bit of a non event but in fairness the away side slightly improved. Tyson had a chance but shot into the side netting which summed up the winger's afternoon and season. Time and time again Tyson's excellent lead up play was let down by a poor final ball or finish. If he can improve on his end product the former Reading and Wycombe man could be a key figure in the playoffs and the race to reach the Premier League.

Substitute Anderson made it 3 right on full time after McGugan's wayward touch but the Reds will look to secure a third place finish next weekend and with it a Saturday trip to either Blackpool or Swansea whereas a fourth place ending will mean a local derby against Leicester and a Sunday lunchtime kick off.

MOM: Moussi

Town have had a poor season despite being tipped as one of the leading contenders back in the summer. However, things have improved somewhat in the latter stages of the campaign which has seen Keane's men move towards mid-table safety.

With Anderson back in the line up and Tyson also maintaining his place an attacking looking Reds side started well. Earnshaw saw a couple of chances go begging but in fairness it was the visitors who shaded the opening period with the likes of Cohen and Wilson making important penalty area interceptions before the interval.

Forest improved vastly after the break and went on to to dominate. The deadlock was broken shortly after half time when Chambers deflected in an Earnshaw shot.

Town were a mere shadow of their first half showing as the Reds added more goals. Moussi bagged his third of the season at the second attempt before Earnshaw grabbed a deserved goal again after the Tractor Boys failed to clear adequately.

There were a couple of late chances for the visitors but this was yet another trademark home victory for Forest.

In an open game Forest had the best chances although the Bluebirds had their moments, particularly in the early stages. Earnshaw wasted a great one on one chance to give the Reds the lead but surprisingly fired against David Marshall's legs before Tyson put a great ball in to Cohen who once again fluffed his lines in front of goal.

Forest totally dominated the second half and again created chances. Blackstock was this time the guilty party aiming a header straight at Marshall before himself wasting a one on one opportunity allowing Marshall to save again.

Cardiff came close through a powerful Stephen McPhail effort but with the sides's all but assued a top six finish a point is a decent outcome for both.

MOM: Moussi

The match itself had a tired feel about it as Billy Davies named an unchanged team to that which finished the Peterborough game. The game never really sprang to life until the stroke of half time when defender Morgan received a pass from Anderson before unleashing a super shot passed Julian Speroni from 23 yards.

The second period offered a bit more in the way of chances. The dismissal of Matt Lawerence for a foolish handball virtually ensured victory for the Reds, with only the set pieces of Darren Ambrose providing any threat from the away side. Substitute Tyson grabbed his first goal of 2010 with Anderson again involved threading a ball through before seeing his team mate roll into an empty net after rounding the keeper.

Cohen, somewhat embarrassingly missed a sitter right at the death as Forest looked to add further goals. You can only hope this kind of chance does not fall to the former West Ham and Yeovil man in a playoffs semi or final after the latest in his long line of bad misses in a red shirt.

MOM: Morgan

There were no surprises in team selection with Blackstock replacing Adebola in attack and Anderson coming in for the ineligible Boyd.

Many would have expected opponents Peterborough to be a bit of a pushover taking into account their league position and poor away form but Posh proved a more than ample threat from start to finish. Forest did actually take an early lead when Earnshaw swept in after Anderson had knocked back a Gunter cross from the right.

Earnshaw had a chance to double Forest’s lead but Joe Lewis denied him. Posh had some good chances of their own most notably Craig Mackail-Smith who forced Camp into a fine save when well placed.

Forest were not at their fluent best and Posh dominated the opening stages of the second period. Camp was forced into a super save in tipping over Gabriel Zakuani’s bullet header from a corner.

The longer the game went on though the more comfortable Forest became and the Reds could have extended their lead before full time. Cohen’s shot hit the post and McCleary should have done better than blaze over from an angle.

Forest held on despite the odd scramble late on and with struggling Crystal Palace the visitors to Trent side on Tuesday, the Reds will look to wrap up a playoffs place.

 MOM: Wilson

Again changes were made with Adebola making a rare start. Perch also returned at left back.

Forest dominated the opening stages with Barnsley not even getting out of their own half in the first 15 minutes. However, despite their obvious superiority, the Reds somehow fell behind to Barnsley's first attack on around the quarter hour mark when a free kick floated in from half way found its way to Daniel Bogdanovic whose looping header defeated Camp.

Forest recovered fairly well from going behind and created some good chances. However, the rusty looking Adebola wasted two golden opportunities to draw the Reds level when lobbing wide from identical positions.

Barnsley started the second period strongly and should have gone two up only for Bogdanovic to stroke wide of the post when well placed. At other end end Majewski's thunderous drive from range struck the woodwork as Forest probed. One of the worst decisions in the history of football took place when the ref and his assistant contrived to give the Tykes a goal kick when a defender headed behind with no opposition player within 20 yards of the ball. This sums up Forest's luck away from home at the moment.

After some hesistancy in the Reds defence the home side doubled their lead when Earnshaw's clumsy challenge earnt the Tykes a penalty which Bogdanovic converted easily.

To Forest's credit the Reds didnt give in and continued to create chances. Majewski again came close from distance but the away side finally did get on the scoresheet when the same player crossed for Blackstock to nod home at the second attempt.

Just like at Deepdale on Saturday Forest threw the kitchen sink at the home team without much luck. Earnshaw thought he had equalised only for the ref to rule the goal out for a foul on the keeper but ultimately the Reds were made to pay for their earlier wastefulness.

MOM: Majewski

The omens weren’t good taking into account recent form and the fact that Forest hadn’t won at this venue since the 1960’s not to mention this weekend also being the anniversary of last seasons 5-0 hammering just up the road at Burnley.

With McKenna out McGugan got a rare start partnering Moussi in midfield. McGoldrick also made his first league start of the year but Earnshaw and Majewski had to make do with a place on the bench.

The first half was a disaster. Despite an uneventful start Preston set the ball rolling inside 20 minutes when Ross Wallace in acres of space out left rolled a low shot into the corner past acting skipper Camp.

The goal seemed to unsettle Forest who produced arguably their worst 45 minutes football since that defeat at Turfmoor last season. A debatable Callum Davidson penalty doubled the home teams’ advantage and before half time it was 3 thanks to a superb long range Michael James effort.

Forest, fresh from half time rockets up their arse half improved greatly after the interval boosted by Cohen moving into midfield in place of McGugan. It was the midfielder who won the Reds a penalty of their own which was coolly converted by Blackstock.

The away side continued to push and with substitute Earnshaw looking lively the deficit was reduced further when the Welsh striker guided an excellent shot past Andy Lonergan after good work by Blackstock.

Try as they might the Reds weren’t quite able to force what would have been a deserved equaliser for their second half showing. Blackstock went down in the area but was quite rightly booked for diving and Earnshaw hit the side netting. Chambers and Cohen had shots from range but in the end North End held on and Forest were made to pay for a very disappointing start to the match.

MOM: Blackstock

This was always going to be a tough one to call with both teams boasting excellent defensive records this season. Forest created some good chances in the opening part of the game. Blackstock saw a goal ruled out by the offside flag before debutant Boyd allowed an early glimpse of what he is capable of seeing a snap shot blocked by Dorus De Vries in the Swans goal and this was after the tricky winger had almost seen an attempted cross drift in at the near post. The Reds best chance of the first half and of the match saw Cohen somehow volley wide from close range at the back post when a goal seemed certain. To be fair the away side created a chance or two themselves and perhaps should have taken the lead when their big striker Kuqi shrugged off Morgan only to see Camp block his attempted lob from 12 yards out.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both sides creating good chances. For Forest Majewski shot over from the edge of the box after a good ball from Gunter but the big talking point came at the other end when Cohen tripped Pratley just yards out from goal only for the ref to bizarrely wave away the appeal for a certain penalty and definite red card for the Forest man. Shortly after this the Swans wasted a great chance to take the lead but Thomas Butler sliced high and wide from close range.

As both sides appeared satisfied with a point Forest struck a cruel blow to the Welshmen in stoppage time. Keeper De Vries who had dealt with most crosses into the box relatively comfortably mis-judged the flight of a McGugan corner allowing Chambers to power home a close range header.

Although there were a couple of nervy moments Forest held on for a vital win which could prove crucial at the end of the season. However, if the Reds are to continue to challenge for a top 2 birth they simply have to find a way to end their terrible recent away record which has seen 5 successive scoreless defeats. 10 successive home victories has secured the minimum of a place in the playoffs but with other teams faltering that second place is there for the taking.

MOM: Cohen

With the Foxes desperate to avenge the 5-1 scoreline inflicted upon them by Forest in December this was always going to be a potential banana skin for Billy Davies' unchanged team.

The Reds edged the first period and could have perhaps had more to show for their efforts as Earnshaw cracked the Leicester cross bar following a Majewski set piece. Just like that infamous day in early December the Reds looked capable of hurting the Foxes on the break but having got into several good positions on the counter-attack, that end product proved illusive.

After half time the game eventually turned in the home side's favour. Although chances were at a premium at both ends, Forest failed to really show second half and were eventually punished in what was perhaps a more comprehensive looking victory than the home side deserved. Three goals in the last 15 minutes did for the Reds the pick of which came from Paul Gallagher whose 22 yard free kick in fairness would have had most keeper's in world football grasping at thin air.

Forest rallied late on but even if McKenna's rasping drive late on had gone in, the Reds would still have had little to show for their efforts.

MOM: Wilson.

Both sides’ fortunes have fluctuated since then and it is now the Reds pushing for automatic promotion with Boro encountering an inconsistent season marooned in mid-table.

With home form remaining sound Forest were unchanged with their opponents fielding a host of players brought in during the January transfer window.

A bit like Tuesday’s win over Sheffield United this was to be again far from the champagne football Forest were producing at the City Ground prior to Christmas. However, it was the Reds who had the best chances before half time with Majewski’s free kick clipping the bar and Earnshaw firing over from just inside the box. Boro offered little and like most sides who have visited Trentside of late were more concerned at upsetting the home side’s neat, incisive flowing football which has seen nobody take even a point away from here since the late autumn.

The game didn’t really change after the interval either with both sides creating little. Forest had a goal ruled out after Wilson appeared to have opened his Reds account only to be denied by an offside flag. However, Boro weren’t so fortunate a second time after a superb flowing moving beginning with Wilson saw Cohen delightfully dink home after great work by Majewski and Blackstock.

The goal brought Boro to life and the away side had chances to level late on as Forest dropped deep. Sub Leroy Lita saw a couple of efforts saved by Camp and Stephen McManus drew a fine save from the Reds stopper. However, despite the odd scare Cohen’s strike proved the only one of the game and with West Brom coming unstuck at Bristol City, Forest head to Leicester next weekend occupying an automatic promotion spot.

MOM: Wilson