Harvey Wiles-Richards - 7
Really impressed with his distribution, particularly under pressure from the opposition, eager to play out the back with the ball on the ground. Good at commanding his area, showing his safe pair of hands from set-pieces. Was almost the penalty hero in the shootout.
Kane Wilson (off 60, Bell) - 6
Still looks short of match fitness. Tidy in possession but wasn't able to get forward in the first half, instead teamed up with Leeson to marshall the dangerous Osong. Came off on the hour mark, assumingly with an eye on Luton on Wednesday.
Harry Leeson - 8
Handed a difficult battle up against the powerful striker Esapa Osong, especially in the aerial duel but dealt with him well. Like the rest of the backline, stuck to his task. Has the quality to get forward but was tasked with staying deep and utilising his pace when Forest tried to go in behind. Made a superb block right at the end of extra-time.
Duncan Idehen - 9
Captained the side in the middle of the back three and was impressive throughout. Commanding in the air and threw his body on the line, his performance led by example. Also had a good understanding alongside Wood. Suffered from cramp in extra-time but managed to carry on, winning his aerial duels.
Callum Wood - 8
Was a real threat in Forest's box, winning headers at the back post one of which Palmer-Houlden should have buried. Excellent at reading the game, making a number of important interceptions. Played the entire contest so unlikely to be on the bench to face Luton, despite an impressive showing.
Elijah Morrison (off 79, Yeboah) - 7
Was a threat down the left playing wing-back and showed his quality with a number of dangerous deliveries into the area. Defensively sound, with little threat coming down his side. Has so much pace when running at his opponent, would like to see him take on his man on more occasions.
Josh Owers - 7
A scrappy battle that suited the City midfielder, playing the deepest of the three. Was up against Ryan Yates, who has 18 top-flight appearances this season, and more than held his own. Energetic and brave in the challenges meant he was a constant nuisance for his opponents.
Ewan Clark - 7
Played as the No10, and likewise to Acey, showed glimpses of his potential in a game that offered little space to maneuver. Set-pieces were impressive, creating opportunities to pick out Wood at the back post. Moved to left wing-back late in the second half and wasted little time getting deliveries into the area but to no avail. Was so unfortunate to have missed the decisive penalty.
Ben Acey - 7
A difficult game for Acey to showcase his ability with space at a premium in a tight and congested midfield battle. Stayed close to Owers to prevent Forest from playing through the middle and kept it simple with the ball at his feet. A disciplined performance by the former Guernsey man.
Marlee Francois (off 60, Thomas) - 6
Played alongside Palmer-Houlden in attack and was quiet for the opening 25 minutes until his deflected strike just missed the target. Usually an attacking midfielder, he was pushed further forward and sometimes looked lost in an unfavoured position but can spring to life in an instant when he gets the ball at his feet.
Seb Palmer-Houlden - 6
Looked most likely to break the deadlock and was presented with a handful of half-chances which he failed to convert. The best came in the first half when he headed over from close range. Despite his languid frame, he's really quick along the ground and was full of running down the channels. Kept up his energy levels in extra time but with little luck in front of goal, missing a decent chance in the second half of injury-time.
Substitutes
Olly Thomas (on 60, Francois) - 6
Threatened with his pace and strength but couldn't provide the spark to open the scoring, playing behind the two front men.
Zac Bell (on 60, Wilson) - 6
Looked to provide an outlet at right wing-back but most of the play came down the other side. Wasn't given the space to exploit which is credit Forest's defending. Stood up to his task at the back.
Ephraim Yeboah (on 79, Morrison) - 6
Showed some good movement to stretch the defence allowing Palmer-Houlden to operate but didn't threaten in front of goal.
Subs not used: Casa-Grande, Porton
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
