Nottingham Forest took a big step towards securing a top-six finish as they clinched a crucial 1-0 win at Peterborough United, courtesy of a Sam Surridge header.
The Reds had struggled to get into their flow in a scrappy first half. Nevertheless, they went in at half-time a goal to the good.
After a bright opening few minutes from Forest, the hosts worked their way into the game and created the first decent opening. Clearcut chances, in general, were hard to come by at either end. But it was Brice Samba who was called into action first, thwarting Ricky-Jade Jones after he broke into the area before the 10-minute mark. Frankie Kent then fired over from a corner as Posh enjoyed a spell of possession.
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At the other end of the pitch, Philip Zinckernagel drove straight at Dai Cornell past the half-hour, having been played through by Brennan Johnson. Aside from a few promising breaks, however, Forest were finding the going tough.
Just when it looked as though the teams might be heading in at the break all-square, up popped Surridge. Zinckernagel and Johnson broke from midfield, with the latter putting in a tasty cross for the front man to head back across goal and inside the far post.
Surridge had an effort blocked soon after the restart. And then Zinckernagel curled one wide,
But the hosts began to build up a head of steam again. Samba had to deal with low strikes from Harrison Burrows and Jack Marriott.
Jack Colback went close to a second for the visitors, drawing a save from Cornell with 20 minutes to go. And Lewis Grabban spurned a couple of great chances in the closing 10 minutes. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at London Road.
Brice Samba: Made a very good stop in the opening 10 minutes to deny Ricky-Jade Jones, and then another to thwart Harrison Burrows late on. Could prove crucial. Rating: 8/10
Joe Worrall: Clean-sheet was hard-earned. Posh threw plenty at the visitors as they had some good spells. Game got a bit nervy at times. Rating: 8/10
Tobias Figueiredo: Defence had some tough moments, as Peterborough applied the pressure. Made some big clearances when required. Rating: 8/10
Scott McKenna: Did a good job of keeping tabs on Johnson Clarke-Harris - not always the easiest of tasks. Got a nice round of ‘you’ll never beat McKenna’. Rating: 8/10
Djed Spence: Looked like he was going to give Harrison Burrows a tough afternoon when he picked up an early card. Made some good runs, but this was a tough encounter. Rating: 7.5/10
Ryan Yates: Dug in as the hosts battled for their lives. Had to help out defensively, making some important challenges. Rating: 7.5/10
James Garner: Plenty of nice touches and some good set-pieces. Forest just needed to keep hold of the ball a little better at times. Rating: 7.5/10
Jack Colback: Not far off getting on the scoresheet again, with a good effort in the second half which had to be pushed away. Was his usual reliable self defensively. Rating: 7.5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: At the heart of a devastating break to set the Reds on their way. Work-rate was superb throughout, especially when the visitors were really having to dig in. Rating: 8/10
Brennan Johnson: Absolute peach of a cross for what , having linked up well with Zinckernagel. Laid the ball on a plate for Surridge to head home. Plenty of bright moments. Rating: 8/10
Sam Surridge: Just so clinical in front of goal. Five for the front man since his January move, and this one came at an important time. Put a real shift in, too. Rating: 8/10
Subs
Joe Lolley (for Zinckernagel, 61mins): A really positive contribution. Helped tee up some good openings. Rating: 7.5/10
Lewis Grabban (for Surridge, 74mins): Spurned a couple of great chances - the kind you’d expect him to gobble up. Concerning that he looked to pick up an injury. Rating: 7/10
Cafu (for Grabban, 88mins): Straight into the battle as the Reds were hanging on a little towards the end. Rating: 7.5/10
Subs not used: Horvath, Laryea, Mighten, Cook.
