Nottingham Forest 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Last updated : 01 May 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A battling Nottingham Forest took all three points as Wigan Athletic could not break down a stubborn defence.

It took Joe Kinnear's Forest 15 minutes before they got into their stride as promotion chasing Wigan enjoyed most of the play early on, but Forest's defence stood up to the visitors challenges.

Halfway through the first half Wigan came close to scoring when Nathan Ellington went on a solo run and shot with power from 18 yards out. An alert Paul Gerrard got both hands on the effort to deny the visitors.

Forest's Marlon King came close with ten minutes to go in the first half. King, deep on the right, shot from a tight angle, his shot tested the keeper who parried for a corner.

Forest came close again minutes later, an Andy Reid corner found David Johnson's head, but his effort was lacking accuracy and failed to test John Filan. The teams went in 0-0 at half-time.

Wigan came out for the second half in the same frame of mind as the first, keeping the ball and frustrating Forest.

With 13 minutes gone in the second half it was Forest who threw the gauntlet down and took the lead.

Eoin Jess crossed from the right, in a crowded goalmouth Paul Evans' shot was goalbound, but Johnson will claim this as he made the final touch.

Wigan were fighting back and were keen to leave this game with something.

Ellington's effort came close as he let fly from 25 yards out and his effort looked goalbound before Forest keeper Gerrard touched the drive on to the post.

This was Forest's last home game of the season and despite there being nothing at stake for the Reds, they played like a title-chasing team and sent the Latics home empty-handed.