City Reserves Beaten By Forest

On a cold night at Liberty Way, Forest had the early pressure with Callum Burgess making a great block to concede a corner.

In the 16th minute,the league leaders went ahead when Ben Fairclough's cross was met by the head of Matt Thornhill and the ball looped into the net at the post.

Forest went further ahead in the 28th minute as former Celtic man Mo Sylla played the ball inside for Aaron Davies to hit a lovely shot from the edge of the area which went in off the post.

Adam Walker who made his reserve team debut against Leicester and scored for the U18's on Saturday, did the box to box role very well. Twice he made surging runs forward and then passed to players in better positions.

Wayne Andrews, back from his loan at Leeds and Donovan Simmonds were the recipients of those passes and the strikers combined four minutes into the second half to get the ball in the net.

Andrews neatly finished from a Simmonds through ball but referee Mr Fletcher called the play back for a foul on Simmonds, much to the dismay of the City support.

Steve Ogrizovic sent on youngster Dean Marshall for Ashley Cain in the 62nd minute and with the City defence a lot less under pressure following the 54th minute withdrawal of Aaron Davies, City's midfield were able to pass the ball better.

Mistakes were still being made and one in the 65th minute by Robert Page let in Ben Fairclough who cut inside for Emile Sinclair. It looked like a goal but Danny Ireland dived to his right to push the ball round for a corner.

The much maligned keeper made another good stop four minutes later when he blocked Fairclough's close range shot with his feet.

In the 73rd minute, Wayne Andrews got his first shot of the game on target when his drive was pushed away for a corner by Dale Roberts.

Andrews, did not have a good night and was replaced with nine minutes to go.

By now, a highly organised Forest side who played some good football had taken their foot off the gas and a rash tackle brought down Kevin Thornton.

It looked like a penalty with City supporters stood behind the goal and those sat in the stand all appealing but Mr Fletcher decided the offence was committed on the edge of the area.

Thornton's first free kick curled into the net but the referee was not ready and made Thornton take it again. This time, the place kick hit the defensive wall and was cleared.

Ireland prevented David Brown from scoring three minutes from time as substitute Reis Ashraf had a shot blocked at the other end.

In the last seconds of normal time, Dean Marshall scored a consolation goal for the Sky Blues when he arrived at the far post to finish off a Thornton cross which was curled round Lee Hildreth who was blocking a covering player.