An 80th minute strike by Marlon Harewood earned Nottingham Forest three vital
points against Birmingham City at the City Ground.
Harewood latched on to a long through ball from Andy Johnson and with
goalkeeper Kevin Poole coming out to meet him, the young striker drilled a
decisive shot low into the net.
It was a goal that Forest deserved after monopolising much of the play without
really looking particularly dangerous.
Birmingham, badly hit by injury, looked as though they would happily settle
for a point but had nothing to offer once Harewood had made his decisive
breakthrough.
The victory eases Forest manager David Platt's fears of being dragged into a
relegation fight in the second half of the season - but they had to battle hard
for their reward.
The first half was such an uneventful affair that those fans who were left
queuing for tickets, leading to a 15-minute delay, must have wondered if they
had made the right decision.
Neither goalkeeper had a save of note to make until two minutes before the
break when a long ball from Simon Charlton found Dele Adebola moving in on goal,
but his low shot was blocked at the near post by Forest keeper Dave Beasant.
Harewood and Johnson both brought saves from Poole, who was relieved to see a
rasping effort by Harewood finish past the angle following a surging run.
Forest continued to have much more possession and Johnson put Harewood clear
for a shot that took a crucial deflection wide off defender Michael Johnson.
Forest's patience was eventually rewarded when Harewood got the vital goal and
although Birmingham lifted their game in the last 10 minutes, the only scare for
Beasant came in the final minute of normal time.
Then substitute Chris Holland shot from 30 yards but Beasant was alive to the
danger and turned his shot wide.
Teams
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Dawson, Brennan, Doig, Hjelde,
Bart-Williams, Prutton, Johnson, Harewood, John, Gray.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Cooper, Freedman, Quashie, Williams.
Booked: John.
Goals: Harewood 81.
Birmingham: Poole, Rowett, Bass (Holdsworth 85), Johnson,
Charlton (Gill 57), Hyde (Holland 45), O'Connor, Hughes,
Grainger, Marcelo, Adebola.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Purse.
Booked: Johnson.
Att: 20,821
Ref: W Jordan (Tring, Herts).
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