Walsall 4 Nottingham Forest 1

Last updated : 04 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Darren Wrack netted a brace as Walsall thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-1 at the Bescot Stadium.

The Saddlers deserved took the lead on the half hour when Wrack arrived unmarked at the far post to head home Simon Osborn's nod down from the right.

Six minutes later an error by Forest goalkeeper Darren Ward let in loanee Chris Baird, who set up Osborn to slot the ball into the empty net.

Forest hit back and just before the break Andy Reid fired a ten-yard shot through a crowd of players into the net.

After the break it was Walsall who continued to press, with Paul Merson seeing a left-wing corner cleared off the line by Gregor Robertson.

Wrack restored Walsall's two-goal lead in the 65th minute and Forest's misery was complete when Merson crossed unselfishly for Gary Birch to score with four minutes left.

After the game a delighted Colin Lee said: "I was particularly pleased with our second-half performance.

"Forest may not have been at their strongest but you still have to beat them.

"I thought young Gary Birch produced a fine all-round performance. He was not too well before the game but he did not want to lose his shirt and was rewarded with a good late goal." Paul Hart, Forest's manager admitted: "I thought we had got back into the game at half time but Walsall's third goal killed us off.

It was a disappointing performance all round."