Forest take giant step towards safety

Last updated : 09 April 2012 By Forest

Nottingham Forest travelled to face Peterborough United on Easter Monday less than 48 hours after missing the chance to ease their relegation fears at home to Bristol City.

Defeated 1-0 by the Robins, the Reds were nevertheless praised for their performance by manager Steve Cotterill, who said ahead of the Posh visit: “If we perform to the same level, I cannot see us being beaten."

The hosts meanwhile were all but guaranteed another season in the Championship after taking four points from games against Leicester and Coventry City.

Dexter Blackstock made the crucial breakthrough on 38 minutes and the Reds, despite the dismissal of Garath McCleary, not only held on but continued to make chances as they moved seven points clear of safety with just four games left to play.

Cotterill said afterwards: "We could have been home and dry by half-time but you always fear you may get hit by a sucker-punch at 1-0.

"Thankfully that didn't happen and we did well to keep our concentration after going down to 10 men to get a good result.

"I will be amazed if the red card is not rescinded, though. I thought the referee [Carl Boyeson] was hasty when making the decision and I gather he feels he may have made a mistake.

"I take my hat off to Carl Boyeson if that is the case so hopefully the decision will be looked at, although I may not have been so charming if we had lost 2-1."