Npower Championship London Road Monday April 9th 2012 K.O.

3pm

0-1
Blackstock 39

On a day where Nottingham Forest needed to deliver, they did just that. After the disappointing home defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, the Reds found themselves just 4 points clear of the relegation zone and needed a win to ease their worries. From the first kick it was clear that Forest were up for it and after only a few minutes had their first chance when Andy Reid headed a Chris Gunter cross back across goal and Dexter Blackstock jumped higher than posh defender Gabriel Zakuani to head the ball top right but saw his header saved superbly tipped wide of the Goal by Keeper Paul Jones. Lewis McGugan then made a mark on his return to the side when he held off a defender, then dribbled his way past the posh defence before crashing his shot against the post before being cleared to safety. Forest then had another chance to take the

lead when Radi Majewskis shot was parried, it evaded the stretching Andy Reid before it fell to Adlene Guedioura at the back post but Algerian blasted over from eight yards out. In a first half dominated by the Reds, Peterborough finally had their first chance of the afternoon when Paul Taylor evaded challenges from Lewis McGugan and Gregg Cunningham and found a pass to David Ball in the box but Luke Chambers blocked and cleared the danger. Forest finally got their reward for first half dominance when Garath McCleary dashed down the right before sending a low ball into the box which found Dexter Blackstock who controlled and turned brilliantly before crashing his shot in off of the crossbar into the far corner of the net to the delight of the traveling faithful. Posh then had a penalty claim when ex-Forest loanee George Boyd fell down in the box but Referee Carl Boyeson waved away appeals. Forest then had a great chance to double their lead when Adlene Guediouras long range shot rebounded into the path of Blackstock who found himself through on goal but the striker saw his shot saved by the leg of jones. Posh then had a chance to level when Taylor got in behind the Forest defence but Chambers recovered to get a block in before Joel Lynch cleared after a scramble. Lee Camp made his first save of the second half when diving to his right to palm a Paul Taylor shot around the post for a corner. Forest had yet another chance when Lewis McGugan drive into the box, crossed low across the face of the goal and Tommy Rowe made a vital clearance at the back post to prevent McCleary from scoring. Majewski then had a shot scrambled around the post by Jones after Joe Newell had headed back into his own box. Forests afternoon was then blemished with 20 minutes left when winger Garath McCleary got a straight red after a 50/50 challenge on posh skipper Grant McCann who certainly made the most of the situation.

Peterborough pressed for a goal and Taylor saw his shot saved by the leg of Lee Camp. Although Peterborough had the extra man they didnt really threaten Lee Camps goal to much. McCann sent a freekick just wide of the goal before a mix up in the Forest defence allowed George Boyd a free shot but he failed to connect properly and Lee Camp gratefully fell on the ball. Forest then held out the final few minutes to claim a vital three points.

Forest: Camp, Gunter, Chambers(C), Lynch, Cunningham, Guedioura Reid (Elokobi 64), McGugan (Wootton 73), McCleary, Majewski, Blackstock (Tudgay 84) Subs not used: Smith, Higginbotham Scorers: Blackstock 39 Bookings: McCleary 70 RED CARD

Peterborough: Jones, Zakuani, Boyd, McCann(c), Sinclair (Ball 17), Rowe, Newell (Tomlin 61), Brisley, Frecklington (Kearns 56), Taylor, Alcock Subs not used: Lewis, Little Bookings: Rowe 84

Referee: Carl Boyeson Attendance: 11,631 Written By Marcus Hogg