Forest deservedly go into the hat for the 3rd round draw of the Carling Cup on Saturday lunchtime, following a 2-1 win over Championship rivals Middlesbrough at the City Ground last night.
Reds’ boss Billy Davies made 5 changes to the side that fought for a hard earned point at Loftus Road on Saturday and despite another enforced reshuffle at the back, the defence looked solid and composed, against a strong Boro strikeforce.
It was an open ended game from the start, with both sides going for it. Boro had the best of the opening exchanges and forced a great double save from Paul Smith, after only 5 mins. The Reds’ had their moments, with chances falling to Anderson and Earnshaw. Surprisingly it took until the 43rd min to break the deadlock and it was the visitors to strike first.
Adam Johnson bagged his 4th goal in 5 games with a great strike just before the break, to send the good away following into raptures. Despite the one goal defecit at half time, the supporters had good reason for optimism, after another decent showing from the lads.
Forest started the second half brightly, with Robert Earnshaw having two decent efforts on goal. Just as in the first half though, the visitors were always a threat and could have extended their lead, when Aliadiere sent an effort just wide. The Reds’ had to wait until the 60th min to get the deserved equaliser and it came from an Arron Davies corner. Chambers managed to pull off a back healed volley, that flew into the net despite the efforts of the Boro keeper. This was the first goal conceded this season by the visitors and it was a beauty.
The 90 mins ended all square and the game went into extra time. As both sides still attacked, it was Forest who looked the more determined. Theee mins from the first period of extra time, Radoslaw Majewski hit the winner to put the Reds’ in the hat for the 3rd round draw on Saturday. This was a moral boosting win, that sets us up nicely for that all important encounter with the Sheep at the weekend.
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