A fine afternoon, sunny when the clouds parted but otherwise cold enough for mid winter, greeted our visitors from just down the M1 today. It's nearly fifty years since the Forest visited Belle Vue for a League game although they have been here a number of times for Cup games over recent years. They are also the first team to have won the European Cup and visit Belle Vue in a League game - a case of both teams going their different ways and meeting in the middle!!! The Rovers made changes from last week, Sean McDaid and Steve Roberts returning from injury, Marples and Mulligan making way. The Forest, on a 4 match unbeaten run, were at full strength and wearing an all-black strip. The Rovers defended the Rossington end in the first half.

The Rovers enjoyed the majority of the early play, winning 3 corners in the first ten minutes. Although the Forest defence struggled to clear their lines, the Rovers gained no reward. Continuing to press, it was McCormack who had the first crack at goal from 25 yards after 20 minutes but he only succeeded in hitting the top tier of hospitality boxes at the Town end. Having weathered the early storm, the Forest began to gain some momentum in attack with Tyson, in particular, causing problems for the Rovers defence with his electric pace. The referee turned one appeal for a penalty down when Tyson claimed he had been pulled back by Wheater after 24 minutes. Then, on 25 minutes, the ball came down the Forest left to the edge of th 6 yard box. Budtz hesitated, COMMONS reached the ball and slotted into the far corner of the net for the opening goal. With their tails up now the visitors should have added to their score four minutes later when Grant Holt took advantage of the Rovers stopping for a throw in but not getting any encouragement from the linesman. Getting to the byline, he crossed low to the far post where Tyson stabbed it wide from two yards. The Rovers tried hard to get back their former superiority of possession but the game settled into an even contest, mostly in midfield, the break coming with Forest holding their one goal lead. 

The Rovers started the second half in lively fashion but with two minutes showing on the clock a loose pass across the pitch by Horlock was picked up by Perch, who put Grant Holt in down the left. A fierce drive across Budtz nestled in the far corner, increasing the lead to two goals. The Rovers tried to hit back but were thwarted by a resolute Forest defence determined to preserve their lead. Manager Penney changed his strike force just past the hour in a bid to find a goal, introducing Neil Roberts and Guy to the fray. Continuing to press, the Rovers found themselves susceptible to the counter attack as witnessed on 75 minutes when a Rovers attack was blunted, the ball swept out to the left for Bennett to cross and Grant Holt to head just over the bar. With four minutes of normal time left, some frenzied defending by Forest resulted in Clingan pushing Green over in the penalty area. With no McIndoe to take the penalties it was COPPINGER who stepped up and slammed it to Pedersen's right for what was just a consolation goal. The home team tried very hard in the remaining minutes, augmented by five minutes of added on time but they could not get an equaliser. To the cheers of their large following the final whistle went with Nottingham Forest taking the three points and keeping their challenge for a play-off place very much alive.  

Teams - ROVERS - Jan Budtz; Steve Roberts, David Wheater, Graeme Lee, Sean McDaid; Jason Price, Paul Green, Kevin Horlock, James Coppinger; Ross McCormack, Leo Fortune-West.

Subs used - Neil Roberts for Fortune-West 64 mins; Lewis Guy for McCormack 64 mins;Dave Mulligan for Price 79 mins;

Subs not used - Ricky Ravenhill, Alan Blayney gk.

Caution - Steve Roberts

Nottingham Forest - Rune Pedersen; Gary Holt, Wes Morgan, Ian Breckin, John Curtis; Kris Commons, James Perch, Julian Bennett, Sammy Clingan; Grant Holt, Nathan Tyson.

Subs used - Jack Lester for Grant Holt 88 mins; John Thompson for Clingan 90 mins;

Subs not used - Ross Gardner, Danny Cullip, Paddy Gamble.

Caution - Bennett,