Two first-half goals from Marlon King were enough for relegation-threatened
Nottingham Forest to secure an important victory at home to Crewe.
The striker, returning from a three-match ban, had scored just two goals in 18
appearances going into the game but doubled his tally for the season with a
well-taken brace inside the first 20 minutes.
Goalkeeper Paul Gerrard, making his Forest debut in one of four changes for
the home side, pulled off a string of fine saves to keep Crewe at bay.
Relegation-threatened Forest started brightly, with Gareth Williams and Andy
Reid both firing wide with shots from the edge of the area.
Reid had a hand in the opening goal after eight minutes. He led a swift
counter-attack and played the ball through for King, who beat his marker and
drilled past Ben Williams.
Crewe responded, with Neil Sorvel forcing Gerrard into his first save of the
afternoon with a shot from distance, and the on-loan Everton keeper pulled off a
stunning stop to deny Dean Ashton from close range after 14 minutes.
Forest hit back, though, and doubled their advantage six minutes later. A deep
cross from Reid was nodded into the path of Andy Impey by Gareth Taylor. Impey
chipped the ball back across goal for King to head home his second goal of the
game.
The Railwaymen tried desperately to haul themselves back into the game before
the break.
Youngster Billy Jones let fly with a fierce drive from 25 yards which stung
the palms of Gerrard, and moments later the keeper was scrambling to keep out a
low shot from Justin Cochrane.
Gerrard was in inspired form as he somehow managed to keep out a volleyed
effort from Steve Jones in the 40th minute to frustrate the Alex.
And Crewe keeper Williams made two important saves at the start of the second
half to keep his side in with a chance of a comeback.
He parried a Taylor header and then pushed away a well-struck shot from Paul
Evans - making his debut for the Reds after signing on loan from Bradford.
Kenny Lunt, who scored both goals for Crewe in their midweek win against
Stoke, drilled an effort straight at Gerrard, while at the other end, substitute
David Johnson forced another superb stop from Williams.
The visitors threw on striker Michael Symes, signed on loan from Everton on
transfer deadline day, in a final push, but he failed to make an impact and
Forest comfortably held on.
Teams
Nottm Forest: Gerrard, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Morgan, Doig, Impey,
Evans, Williams (Thompson 89), Reid, Taylor, King (Johnson 66).
Subs Not Used: Roche, Jess, Westcarr.
Goals: King 8, 20.
Crewe: Williams, Billy Jones, Foster, McCready (Moses 53),
Vaughan, Lunt, Sorvel, Cochrane (Symes 81), Hignett,
Steve Jones, Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Bankole, Rix, Robinson.
Att: 24,347
Ref: P Prosser (Gloucestershire).
Rotherham (1) 1 Preston (0) 0
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