Smith’s quickfire treble cuts down Forest

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 MILLWALL 3

A HAT-TRICK for Matt Smith, a happy birthday for Millwall boss Gary Rowett and an avalanche of questions for Forest coach Sabri Lamouchi to answer. Rowett, once a favourite son down the road at Derby, will not forget his 46th birthday in a hurry as his players rediscovered their way to goal with three in 13 first-half minutes after almost 12 and a half hours without one from open play. Forest started the night in fourth place and eight points behind automatic promotion. A win would have taken them level with Fulham. The incentive was there but so were the results of their last two home games — defeat by Charlton, a goalless draw with QPR. Even so, no one could have predicted Millwall’s first 45 minutes of attacking intent nor the contribution of Smith, who may face a fight with team-mate Jayson Molumby over ownership of the second goal. There was no doubt about the first. Murray Wallace flew down the left, crossed, and Smith’s stooping header beat Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba. Optimistic Forest supporters waited for a reaction. It came — from Millwall. This time it was Mason Bennett chasing down the left and finding Molumby, who celebrated wildly even though the final touch came from Smith. To hammer home his point, Smith held up three fingers after heading in Shane Ferguson’s corner for the third. Forest did have chances in the first half, Joao Carvalho forcing a save from Bartosz Bialkowski and Joe Lolley firing over the bar while John Bostock was denied by Bialkowski in the second half. Lamouchi issued a personal and passionate apology when Sheffield Wednesday thrashed Forest 4-0 earlier this season. This was deja vu.