Nottingham Forest breezed into the second round of the Carling Cup after a 4-0 win over League Two side Morecambe.

Morecambe, who knocked out higher opposition in Preston and Wolves last season, never really threatened in a game where the Reds dominated possession.

Robert Earnshaw had the first chance of the night when the ball was swung in from the right hand side but his overhead kick wasn’t up to scratch and rebounded off his knee and over the bar. The former Baggies striker also tried his luck from a free kick on the edge of the box only to hit the wall with a poor low kick.

Arron Davies went closer when his flick-on from a Luke Chambers cross beat former Reds goalkeeper Barry Roche only to rebound back off the post and away to safety. Mitchell was understandably distraught as he had £1 on the Welshman to score first.

Davies picked up a knock shortly after which looked like a calf injury and was substituted for Garath McCleary.

Forest took the lead under debatable circumstances. Another free-kick on the edge of the box, this time on the right hand side, was taken quickly by new loan signing Lee Martin only to be pulled back by the referee as he had not blown his whistle.

Martin was booked for his misdemeanor and the resulting kick taken by Chris Cohen sailed past Roche to make it 1-0. Luke Chambers tried to claim he got a touch to the free-kick but to no avail and therefore upset Trigger who had £1 on him to score the first goal at 28/1.

Forest continued to press and should have made it two when Lee Martin’s cross found Earnshaw once more only for him to miss the target from 18 yards out.

Morecambe rarely threatened Smith and their one main effort came but was blazed wide and over the crossbar.

They came out in the second half however in a much better frame of mind. The first ten minutes belonged to the team more famous for Eric than their actual club. This didn’t obviously stop the travelling support singing the now infamous ‘you’re not famous anymore’ chant.

Their striker Howe, who looked like Chris Kamara, put a great ball into the area and James Perch had to be on his guard to clear the danger as they searched for an equaliser.

The next goal would be crucial and thankfully Forest grabbed it. Chris Cohen fed the ball through to Robert Earnshaw and he made no mistake by prodding the ball past Roche before his trademark ‘flip’ in front of the Main Stand.

The third came courtesy of youngster Adam Newbold who has impressed recently in the reserves. He followed up his penalty against Manchester City in the Pontins Playoff Final by scoring on his debut for the first team.

Cohen again squared the ball to Newbold who took a touch before placing the ball into the corner and making it 3-0.

The icing on the cake came from Earnshaw when Cohen again fed the pacey striker and he placed the ball past the on-running Roche to grab his second of the match and Forest’s fourth.

The Sky Sports draw after the game saw the Reds set-up a repeat of their pre-season friendly as they drew Roy Keane’s Sunderland at home.

MOTM: Chris Cohen – scored the first goal, ran his heart out, covered loads of ground and contributed three assists to the cause.

(4-3-3) Smith, Chambers (Thornhill 68), Morgan, Breckin, Heath, Cohen, Moussi, Perch (Newbold 76), Davies (McCleary 18), Earnshaw, Martin

Subs not used: Roberts, Bennett, Reid, Sinclair