Nottingham Forest took on Coventry City in the Reds penultimate home match of the season, as the Championship relegation tussle hits fever pitch. With Norwich not in action and Barnsley facing a tough match at Reading, this was a golden chance for the Reds to move away from the relegation zone.

Boosted by an excellent four point return over the Easter period, confidence was high as Billy Davies made a couple of changes to his starting eleven. Paul Anderson and Isaiah Osbourne returned, although positional changes were a plenty with Luke Chambers and James Perch shifting to more suited roles of centre half and full back respectively.

Forest were poor in the first half and were lucky to still be on terms at half time. Freddy Eastwood fluffed a chance after some indecisiveness in the Reds defence and Dan Fox will have been disappointed not to trouble Paul Smith with a couple of free kicks on the edge of the box. Despite a poor showing, the home side actually came closest to scoring with their only real chance of the half as Luke Chambers thumping header cannoned against the cross bar.

After a rocket up your arse type team talk from Davies, Forest took to the field looking a different side after the interval. Within seconds of the re-start James Perch excellent side foot finish after good work from Dexter Blackstock saw the Reds hit the front.

The Sky Blues offered next to nothing in the second period as Forest looked to extend their lead. In truth they should really have avoided a nervy final few minutes but failed to capitalise on some good chances. Chris Cohen’s deflected shot was well saved by Kieron Westwood, but despite the slender advantage the Reds held on albeit with home fans hearts in mouths late on.

Seven points out of a possible nine is an excellent return under difficult circumstances. If Billy Davies’ team can make that ten points out of a possible twelve at the seaside next Saturday, then fans can begin to look forward to another campaign in the Championship next season.

Forest: Smith, Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Perch, Anderson (McCleary 46), McGugan (Breckin 85), Osbourne, Cohen, Garner, Blackstock.

MOM: Luke Chambers