Nottingham Forest took a giant stride towards Nationwide One safety after
Gareth Williams' double sank in-form Crystal Palace at the City Ground.
The Scottish midfielder, who had previously only scored once this season,
earned Forest a vital three points, despite a rousing second-half fightback from
Iain Dowie's side.
And with David Johnson making a late substitute appearance following a
six-month injury lay-off, things are finally beginning to look up for Joe
Kinnear's side.
Williams scored after just four minutes. Andy Reid had already drawn a fine
save from Cedric Berthelin before the midfielder drilled home the opener from
the edge of the area.
With Marlon King beginning a three-match suspension, Kinnear chose to partner
Nick Barmby and Gareth Taylor in attack, and the little and large pairing
combined perfectly to set up Reid for the second.
After Wales international Taylor found Barmby with a aerial flick the on-loan
Leeds player cleverly evaded three defenders before caressing an inviting pass
into the path of Reid, who finished emphatically for his 12th goal of the
season.
Mark Hudson's suspension opened the door for Mikele Leigertwood to make his
Palace debut, and the former Wimbledon defender was kept busy as confidence
flowed through the home side.
Palace began the second period showing the same urgency with which Forest had
started the first. Neil Shipperley's determination to become more involved was
displayed when he crashed into Morgan, and received a yellow card for his
trouble.
Kinnear was forced into a change just seven minutes into the second period
when on-loan defender Alan Rogers limped off. Des Walker was thrust into the
action, but the veteran was powerless to prevent Shipperley dragging Palace back
into the game against his former side.
Danny Granville advanced down the left flank before finding Shipperley with an
accurate cross which the striker finished with ease.
Forest reacted positively to that setback, with Reid unfortunate to see his
beautifully judged lob come back off the crossbar.
The Irishman was again involved as the home side's two-goal advantage was
re-established. After Reid's flick found Williams, the midfielder stroked home
his second goal from the edge of the area.
The relief lasted just two minutes. Wayne Routledge's cross found Granville
all alone in the area, and his confident header flashed past Barry Roche to set
pulses racing among the home crowd.
Teams
Nottm Forest Roche, Louis-Jean, Morgan, Dawson,
Rogers (Walker 53), Sonner, Williams (Thompson 90), Jess, Reid,
Taylor, Barmby (Johnson 85).
Subs Not Used: Formann, Westcarr.
Booked: Barmby, Sonner, Johnson.
Goals: Williams 4, Reid 13, Williams 74.
Crystal Palace Berthelin, Butterfield, Popovic, Leigertwood,
Granville, Routledge, Derry (Freedman 76), Hughes, Gray,
Shipperley, Johnson.
Subs Not Used: Black, Smith, Borrowdale, Togwell.
Booked: Shipperley, Popovic.
Goals: Shipperley 58, Granville 76.
Att: 28,306
Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).
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