Bluebirds Shot Down By Sharp Shooter McGugan

A depleted Forest side would have gladly taken a point prior to kick off, with manager Billy Davies' squad down to the bare bones. Despite having only 6 subs to name on the bench, the Reds' pulled off the most unlikely of results, as they beat Cardiff City 2-0.

Cardiff were sitting pretty at the top of the table before today's game and with Billy Davies without 7 first team players through injury and illness, the omens didn't look too good from a Reds' perspective before the game kicked off. Add to that a Cardiff attack boasting the likes of Chopra, Bellamy, Bothroyd and Whittingham, I think most Forest fans would have gladly taken a point before a ball had been kicked. But, it's a funny old game as they say and despite Forest having the added burden of a homer of a ref to contend with, they managed to bag all three points.

Forest took a 23rd minute lead with the 9th goal and 9th wonder strike of the season, from the born again Lewis McGugan. He hit another 25 yarder, to add to his tally this campaign and at the rate he's going, he could end up having a goal of the season contender list all of his own.

The Reds' took the lead into the break and despite some fierce 2nd half pressure from the home side, they added to the scoreline through substitute Dexter Blackstock. The killer goal came in the 84th minute and it was a well worked move from Forest that secured the points. He latched onto a great pass from McGugan and duly slotted the ball home, to send the travelling Trickies home happy for only the second time this season.

The win takes us into 6th place, but level on points with Doncaster, Norwich and Coventry below. The only downer on an otherwise excellent result, was news of what appears to be a serious injury to match winner Dexter Blackstock. He went down after a challenge in the closing stages of the game and had to be stretchered off, wearing an oxygen mask and leg splint. We all wish him a speedy recovery of course and hope that it's not as serious as first thought.

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