Nottingham Forest travelled north to take on a Burnley side challenging for the playoffs as the Reds looked to make up for the disappointing result and performance on Tuesday night at Watford.

Once again, manager Billy Davies rung the changes with latest loanee Chris Gunter replacing the injured Joel Lynch at left back. Elsewhere James Perch was selected to partner Wes Morgan at the heart of the Forest defence in place of Kelvin Wilson whilst Chris Cohen, Robert Earnshaw and Isaiah Osbourne returned to the starting eleven.

Initially chances were few and far between as both sides struggled in the early stages in windy conditions. The game changed though when much maligned Reds keeper Paul Smith allowed a Robbie Blake free kick from out wide drop straight into the net at the back post.

Unfortunately, this set the tone for what turned out to be Forest’s worst performance since the infamous match at Bournemouth 13 months ago.

Although the Clarets created little the Reds seemed intent on handing the points on a plate to the home side as a series of mistakes gifted Burnley victory. The next culprit was non other than Luke Chambers, another player who has fallen foul of the Forest faithful in recent times. The former Northampton defender allowed Blake to waltz past him before the ex Bradford and Forest man squared for Wade Elliott to force over the line although it wasn’t clear whether or not it was Elliott that got the final touch.

As the Reds looked to salvage something from the match Gareth McCleary made way for Joe Garner at half time.

Unfortunately, more shocking defending early in the second period ensured things only got worse after the break and with other results threatening to go against the Reds, Clarke Carlisle had the absolute freedom of Turfmoor to head home a high cross at the back post.

Forest were now a sorry mess as the Clarets threatened to score every time they went near Smith’s goal. In fairness the fourth and fifth goals which followed were out of the top drawer as Jay Rodriguez smashed a superb curling shot into the top corner before sub Joey Gudjonsson latched onto a paltry James Perch clearance to handsomely volley into the top corner.

Forest had little to offer at the other end. Rob Earnshaw’s free kick summed up the day whilst Garner had a snap shot fly into the few remaining travelling fans behind the goal.

There were simply no positives to take out of this performance, even if Burnley didn’t really create a whole host of chances themselves. If Forest don’t improve on this defensive display then there could be a repeat of the Reds other five goal hammering this season when top of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers visit the City Ground next week in a game which Forest must take something from if they are to harbour hopes of going into the international break outside of the bottom three.

Forest: Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Perch, Gunter, McCleary (Garner 46), Cohen, Osbourne (McGugan 78), Tyson, McSheffrey (Thornhill 75), Earnshaw.

MOM: Luke Chambers & James Perch - 4 assists between them, cant ask for more than that.