German ace Dietmar Hamann's ability to produce wonder goals finally sunk brave Forest at the City Ground.

The lanky midfielder conjured a marvellous effort two weeks against Arsenal, and last night he shattered the Premiership's bottom club with another classic.

He unleashed a breathtaking drive from 35 yards out that crashed past a helpless Mark Crossley and Forest were left sinking closer to relegation.

But brave Forest had overcome the blow of a dubious penalty awarded by referee Jeff Winter to Newcastle on the stroke of half-time.

Alan Shearer, who went tumbling in the box, stepped up to score from the spot but Forest still managed to go into the break level.

Dougie Freedman headed home Steve Stone's cross within seconds of the re-start.

But the blow of having Mathieu Louis-Jean after 50 minutes was eventually too much of a handicap, and they were left blinking at the pace and power of Hamann's cracker.

Both teams had made changes, with Forest boss Ron Atkinson rewarded for giving Freedman his first start under new management, and also handing Richard Gough a start in defence.

Newcastle chief Ruud Gullit made four changes from the side that reached the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, restoring Gary Speed, George Georgiadis, Laurent Charvet and Louis Saha to the side.

Freedman almost set up Rogers for a goal after just three minutes, with a run and pass to the battling midfielder that ended with a fierce drive that Newcastle keeper Shay Given saved at the second attempt.

Six minutes later, Freedman touched back a corner that fell for Johnson in the six yard box, with the Welsh international failing to react quickly enough.

Forest grew in confidence, and Freedman should have scored a minute later when Pierre Van Hooijdonk's fine flighted pass sent him clear of a square back line, but he fractionally delayed his shot and Given saved bravely at his feet.

Newcastle looked to have their minds on other things, being happily entrenched in mid-table without any real threat from the strugglers below them.

Only Hamann was showing more interest, and he was one of four quick fire bookings in a four minute spell that also saw Johnson, Steve Chettle and Louis-Jean for Forest cautioned.

The game blasted into life with the two goals, then three minutes after the break, Forest lost Gough with a muscle pull.

Moments later Winter had the red card out to send off Louis-Jean for bringing down Didier Domi as he raced down the line.

Forest bravely held out until the 73rd minute when Hamann blasted his sensational goal, picking the ball up 35 yards out before moving forward to crash a stunning, rising drive past Crossley.

The German had also seen an 18 yard free kick cannon back off the foot of a post and Forest were by now reduced to running themselves ragged just to keep the score down.

Teams

Nottm Forest: Crossley, Louis-Jean, Gough (Edwards 48), Bonalair, Chettle, Stensaas (Bart-Williams 69), Stone, Rogers, Johnson, Van Hooijdonk, Freedman (Harewood 77).

Subs Not Used: Beasant, Woan.

Sent Off: Louis-Jean (50).

Booked: Louis-Jean, Chettle, Johnson, Van Hooijdonk.

Goals: Freedman 45.

Newcastle: Given, Howey (Dabizas 20), Barton, Shearer, Georgiadis, Saha (Ketsbaia 89), Hamann, Charvet, Speed (Lee 45),Domi, Maric.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Solano.

Booked: Hamann.

Goals: Shearer 45 pen, Hamann 73.

Att: 22,852

Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).