Reds In Reserve

A strong line-up could not prevent Nottingham Forest reserves from suffering their first defeat since October.



Strikers Nathan Tyson, Scott Dobie and Jack Lester all started the match, but struggled to make an impact as Walsall ground out a 1-0 success in a dour encounter at the City Ground.

Forest remain top of the Pontins League Division One Central despite suffering their first loss in seven matches. The Reds second string had not been defeated since Stoke had triumphed by the same scoreline at the City Ground last year.

But this was a hard- fought game that featured few chances for either side. Tyson came closest to scoring for Forest as he lashed a free kick wide of the post in the first half.

Otherwise, despite the trio of senior forwards in the side, Forest lacked a cutting edge.

Lester, who will return from a two-match ban this weekend, picked up another booking before half time.

Walsall's Ishmel Demontagnac - who was sent off on his last visit to the City Ground with the Saddlers' first team - found himself in trouble again, picking up a yellow card after only eight minutes, for a foul on Lester.

The decisive moment came with 18 minutes to go. Following three consecutive corners Peter Duran lashed in a cross and Mark Bradley guided the ball home with a neat diving header.

FOREST: Gamble, Sharpe, Heath, Hughes, Bencherif, Liburd, James, Power, Tyson (Whitehurst 45), Dobie (Sinclair 66), Lester (Fairclough 45). Not used: Redmond, Maloney.






Nottingham Evening Post

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.