A scrappy game eventually saw Forest snatch all three points thanks to a Nathan Tyson goal in the 67th minute. A poor first half brought boos and jeers from the 17,000 + crowd who had witnessed the Reds fail to create any momentum against the leagues bottom side. Despite the odd chance that fell their way and a minimal threat from the visitors, the players were left with no doubt as to what the supporters thought as they tropped off after the referee blew for half time. An Ian Breckin header from a corner which was cleared off the line was the best chance that they could muster.

News that both Carlisle and Doncaster were losing at the interval was pleasing but frustrating after the first half at the City Ground. Colin Calderwood stated after the match that he had used their rivals scorelines as motivation to spur his players on during his team talk and whilst they hardly looked like world beaters, there was a marked improvement in the second period.

The one change at the break was Garath McCleary replacing Brett Ormerod who was taken ill. McCleary on the right and the combined work of Julian Bennett and Kris Commons down the left began to trouble the Hatters but at the othere end the Forest defence had to be on their toes to repel attacks from Sam Parkin and Matthew Spring whose goalbound effort was terrificly blocked by Bennett.

Tyson's goal came after good work down Commons down the left who beat two Luton defenders before swinging the ball across the front of the goal. It was met by McCleary who could only head it back into the six yard box where Tyson's original shot was well saved by Dean Brill. It looked, for a few agonising moments, that the ball would not be forced home but Tyson's second attempt hit on the spin found its way in somehow to give Forest the lead.

From that point, Forest didn't look back and played with more confidence and a renewed threat. Only a couple of superb saves by Brill, the best of which was tipping a Wes Morgan header over the bar, kept the scoreline down at 1-0 as the Reds piled forward in search of a second to seal the victory. In the end, one goal was enough. As the game drew to a close, news filtered in from Brunton Park that Carlisle had fallen behind again leading to a a roar from all corners of the ground.

Three points behind with six left to play for. Maybe, just maybe...

MOM: Nathan Tyson