Nottingham Forest 2 Bradford City 1

Last updated : 28 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Nottingham Forest moved out of the relegation zone after snatching all three points thanks to a last-gasp Gareth Taylor goal.

Joe Kinnear's side had gone 17 games without a win but moved above Derby County at the foot of the first division table after beating a Bradford City outfit that had moved into administration for a second time on Friday.

It was a full-blooded bottom of the table clash at the City Ground with both teams finishing with ten men.

Marlon King and Jason Gavin both got their marching orders in the 79th minute after a fracas.

King was unlucky to see red after the Bantams defender launched himself at the Forest striker who simply defended himself.

Nick Barmby, signed on loan from Leeds United on Friday, was in a different class from the rest of the players on view and did much to help clinch all three points for Forest.

Kinnear's side went for the jugular from the kick-off and they deservedly took the lead in the ninth minute.

Clever play on the left by King and Barmby ended with the former England international setting up Andy Reid and he fired a shot past a helpless Nico Vaesen.

However, Forest were pegged back in the 19th minute when Michael Dawson gave away a tame free-kick.

Dean Windass stepped up to curl a sweet left-foot shot past Forest's reserve team keeper Barry Roche.

Forest began to think it was not gong to be their day as Bryan Robson's men began to get more into the game.

However, Kinnear must have roasted his players at half-time, as Forest started the second half with more passion and heart.

They clearly wanted the three points after being held to a goalless draw by Gillingham in midweek.

In the 47th minute Reid was left unmarked at the far post but Vaesen easily held his tame header.

From then on it was all one-way traffic. Danny Sonner linked well with King, but his shot sailed just wide and then Reid's 30-yard shot was brilliantly saved by the outstanding Vaesen.

Forest substitute John Thompson tried his luck with a 30-yard shot that was cleared off the line although TV replays will show that the ball should have been allowed to stand.

Bantams defender Ronnie Wallwork was adamant that he had managed to clear the ball in time and the referee agreed with him.

Super sub Taylor came on in the last few minutes and, as had happened in the last three Forest games, the sub went on to score.

Bradford manager Robson thought his side were undone by a series of poor refereeing decisions and said about the double sending off: "The ref should have acted quicker on diffusing the situation.

"But I've no complaints. When a player raises his hands there can be no complaint." Forest manager Joe Kinnear was delighted to finally taste the winning feeling after three successive draws.

"It's a massive result," he said after the game. "It's also a massive relief. It was drama of the highest level.

"We kept pushing forward and then the secret weapon came on and did it again." Man of the match: Nick Barmby - He oozed class throughout and showed that he could be an inspired signing by Joe Kinnear.