Forest’s late strikes ensure Robins’ long wait for a home win continues
Bristol City 1 Nottingham Forest 2
AFTER 612 long days without watching a win in the flesh at Bristol City - 265 since watching one on a screen - the wait goes on for fans to find something to cheer about.
Somehow with a win staring them in the face, this side found a way to give it all up in the final seconds, like twice before this season.
Alex Scott had given the home side the lead after missing a gaping open goal before converting after good work by Nahki Wells on 39 minutes, pocketing a rebound after Brice Samba had saved an initial drive at goal.
But approaching injury time and with just two shots on target apiece, the Robins imploded. Djed Spence burst into the area and a lunge from Nathan Baker brought the chance to equalise. Substitute Lyle Taylor made no mistake from the penalty spot.
And the 31-year-old then snatched the victory when he converted a cross when left unmarked in the final seconds, to keep Bristol City’s appalling home record rolling on.
It’s now 17 home matches without a competitive win at Ashton Gate. Something has to give soon.
Nigel Pearson made four changes to the side that was outplayed by Bournemouth at the weekend, as Jay Dasilva, Rob Atkinson, Wells and Scott came back into the side
A three at the back system was used: with Matty James just in front, Geoege Tanner and Dasilva wide and Andi Weimann and Scott playing behind Martin and Wells, very, very similar to Dean Holden’s system of early last season.
It didn’t stop raining all evening as a subdued home crowd were in hope of finally seeing that win at the Gate.
First a great chance for Dasilva as Weimann ran down the right, cut back for Martin to find James who in turn laid off for the wing-back to cut in but see his shot blocked.
Shortly after an even better chance as Wells and Weimann ran at goal and the ball dribbled across to Scott, only for the tyro to pull his shot wide with an open goal in front of him.
At the other end Brennan Johnson was a constant nuisance, dashing in on goal when Weimann lost the ball and outpacing Baker who had just made a terrific sliding tackle. The Forest no.20 cut inside and hit the upright, and the ball was hacked away with Tanner then lifting the home crowd with two terrific sliding tackles.
But that earlier miss had not caused any lasting damage for Scott who then netted his first goal for the Robins, six minutes before the break. A long ball forward was headed on by Chris Martin into the path of Wells whose pace carried him into space.
An early shot seemed to catch Samba by surprise and the 27-yearold could only push the ball into the path of Scott, who was not going to pass up this opportunity.
After the break. Wells shot from halfway to find the top netting of the goal and Samba somehow ket out the Bermudian’s drive at goal as he ran down the right channel nipping in on goal.
Referee Simon Hooper waved away penalty shouts at both ends but neither outfit could fashion the chance to turn the course of the contest. But Steve Cooper’s side did not give up and this was the third time since he took over that they have come to win from behind.
That was until the final seconds, Taylor’s entrance and a gripping denouement. Home comforts remain a long way away for the Robins.