Forest edge ahead of Sheffield in C’ship playoff

LONDON: Notingham Forest established a narrow lead in their English Championship playoff semifinal with Sheffield United following a 2-1 win in the first leg at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson scored for the visitors, with the two-time former European champions looking to return to the Premier League ater an absence of 23 years.

But Sander Berge’s header late on got United back into the tie ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at the City Ground.

Forest went ahead in the 10th minute, scoring from their opening atack when Colback pounced on a rebound ater Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham saved well from Philip Zinckernagel.

The Midlands club dominated without adding to their tally until the 71st minute when substitute Joe Lolley squared the ball to Johnson, who gave Foderingham no chance with a powerful shot into the top-right corner.

United, however, changed the balance of the tie with a goal in stoppage time when Berge headed home ater Forest keeper Brice Samba was stranded out of position.

The winners of this tie will face either Luton or Huddersfield.

Luton and Huddersfield will head to Yorkshire all square ater their Championship play-off semi-final, first leg ended 1-1 at Kenilworth Road on Friday.

Huddersfield, who went into the game having finished third in the table during the regular season, took the lead on 12 minutes when Luton defender Kal Naismith slipped and Harry Toffolo teed up Danel Sinani to fire in at the near post.

Luton have over-achieved just making it to the playoffs with one of the lowest wage budgets in the league.

And their dream of Wembley lives on ater Naismith’s free-kick was met on the volley by captain Sonny Bradley to level on the half hour mark.

Chances came and went for a winner at both ends as Luton goalkeeper Mat Ingram had to use his body to shovel away Danny Ward’s header.