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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Lee

Late drama and controversial goals - How Nottingham Forest's promotion rivals fared this weekend

Nottingham Forest have moved ever closer to securing a Championship play-off spot having beaten Peterborough United 1-0 on Saturday.

Steve Cooper's side are within touching distance of clinching a play-off spot after their win at London Road put them seven points clear of seventh place. Sam Surridge scored his fifth Forest goal of the season with a neat header after brilliant build-up play. Brennan Johnson and Philip Zinckernagel linked up on the half-way line before the former floated a cross to the back-post for Surridge to bundle home.

Three more points lifts Forest to a total of 73 points. Middlesbrough - who have three games left to play and are on 64 points - could still theoretically leapfrog Forest, but they would require a goal-swing of 21 from the final few games. Now, just a point in their next game, at Fulham, will confirm an extension to the Reds' season.

READ MORE: Peterborough United v Nottingham Forest player ratings - Surridge scores to secure important win

ALSO READ: Nottingham Forest fans react as Reds claim 'nervy' win but pull play-offs closer

So, how did Nottingham Forest's promotion rivals get on in the race for a play-off spot?

Fulham (1st) vs Bournemouth (2nd)

Fulham may have already secured promotion to the Premier League, but it was clear that their minds were not yet on the beach as they played out a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on the south coast.

Aleksandar Mitrović notched his 41st league goal of the season when he rose highest at the back post to head home an opening goal in the 56th-minute. The goal did come under some scrutiny, however, with Cherries boss Scott Parker suggesting an issue with the Hawkeye system.

"When the lines are there, it looks like the line is jittery, so felt it was a little bit harsh there," he said.

Further controversy surrounded referee Graham Scott in the fifth minute of injury time when he awarded Bournemouth a penalty after Harry Wilson seemed to trip the advancing Adam Smith. Solanke subsequently stepped up to confidently find the bottom corner and salvage a point

Sheffield United (6th) vs Cardiff City (19th)

Sheffield United returned to winning ways for the first time since the start of April with a 1-0 win over Cardiff City at Bramall Lane.

Cardiff City have nothing but positional ranking to play for in the Championship and that plus a slow start from the Blades saw limited attacking chances produced. The hosts wasted little time after half-time to take the lead, though, when Iliman Ndiaye nodded home Morgan Gibbs-White's inviting cross.

Birmingham City (20th) vs Millwall (7th)

St Andrew's Stadium was the place to go for late drama as Birmingham City were forced to accept a point from a 2-2 draw with Millwall despite leading twice.

Juninho Bacuna put the hosts ahead shortly after the break, but Oliver Burke levelled the tie for Gary Rowett's play-off chasing side. Lyle Taylor - on-loan from Forest - tucked home a penalty on 79 minutes to provide the home side a late lead, but there was time for more drama still when Benik Afobe scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point.

Swansea City (14th) vs Middlesbrough (8th)

Middlesbrough require a monumental goal-swing of 21 if they are to have a chance of leap-frogging Nottingham Forest after a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

Boro went into the game three points off the top six but having suffered inconsistent form of 11 points from ten games. A goalless yet entertaining first half resulted into the game bursting into life after the break, starting with Riley McGree's long-range effort flicking the crossbar as it flew past Andy Fisher.

The visitors came close to doubling their lead when Fisher denied Josh Coburn at close-range, but play quickly broke upfield and Michael Obafemi slotted past Luke Daniels after Joël Piroe's threaded pass.

Have Nottingham Forest got enough about them to get promoted to the Premier League this season? Let us know in the comments section below...

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