Gary Megson was left in no doubt he has his work cut out to restore the glory
days to Nottingham Forest after his first game in charge at the City Ground
ended in defeat.
The former West Brom boss was unveiled as the new man in charge of the
two-time European champions earlier this week following the resignation of Joe
Kinnear last month.
But despite seeing his side dominate Millwall for much of the afternoon,
Forest fell to a defeat that leaves them marooned seven points from safety in
the Championship.
An 11th-minute opener from former Fulham forward Barry Hayles and a superb
Alan Dunne curler gave the Lions victory.
Forest gained a lifeline with three minutes left when the impressive Kris
Commons placed his header into the corner but ultimately some profligate
finishing - most notably from David Johnson - cost them dear.
It was high tempo stuff from the off as Forest, who were without star
midfielder Andy Reid with a calf injury, made an electric start.
In the space of the first five minutes Johnson was just off target with a
glancing header before Paul Evans thundered in a long-range piledriver and Shaun
Derry followed suit from 25 yards.
But despite that impressive opening, Megson was soon given a glimpse of the
Forest defensive frailties he will have to eradicate as Millwall forged ahead.
After 11 minutes the Lions ventured forward for the first time as Jody Morris
picked up the ball in midfield. The diminutive playmaker ran purposefully at the
Forest defence before slipping a pass to Hayles who, having shrugged off his
marker, spun and slid home low past Paul Gerrard.
This was an immediate test of character for Megson's new-look side and to
their credit, they responded with some gusto.
Morris was forced into defensive duty six minutes later as he reacted smartly
to clear Gareth Taylor's powerful header off the line.
Then Johnson missed a gilt-edged opportunity as he blazed wide on the rebound
after Graham Stack had fumbled Commons' shot.
Millwall skipper Kevin Muscat was fortunate to avoid a yellow card, or
possibly worse, midway through the half when he appeared to stand on Evans after
the home midfielder had slid in.
And Forest's half was to go from bad to worse eight minutes before the
interval as Hayles turned and sprayed a cross-field pass into the path of
Irishman Dunne, who produced a sublime left-footed curler into the top corner.
The hosts were not to be deterred and two minutes into the second half a
delightful reverse pass from Marlon King played in Johnson, but he screwed high,
wide and not at all handsome.
Forest were guilty of more wasteful finishing eight minutes later when King
failed to profit after Stack had again spilled a Commons shot.
But the goalkeeper redeemed himself after 63 minutes when he produced a superb
reaction stop after former Stoke midfielder Commons had got in front of his
marker.
Scott Dobie fired straight at Gerrard at the other end with a rare Millwall
foray forward after 68 minutes before Evans' cheeky little backheel dribbled
wide.
Then another chance went begging for the hosts as Matthew Lawrence fouled
Evans and he dusted himself down to float a free-kick over the crossbar.
With three minutes left Forest finally turned their possession into a goal
when Commons rose to thump home King's cross.
But it was not enough to kick-start a revival, although Commons was only
denied a dramatic leveller deep into injury time when Stack turned his volley
away.
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