MASKED MAN RAIDS RAMS!

Yohan nicks win for O’Neill

YOHAN BENALOUANE’S early winner helped Nottingham Forest close in on their promotion-chasing arch rivals – and the top six.

Forest are now just a point behind Derby after masked man Benalouane struck with just 74 seconds on the clock.

It settled a heated clash at a packed City Ground on a night when referee Robert Jones had to defuse a string of melees.

But Forest kept their cool to make it four games unbeaten for new boss Martin O’Neill as they climbed up to eighth.

The Rams had more possession but boss Frank Lampard faces a big test after just one win in six games in all competitions.

If their blip continues much longer, it will surely dash their hopes of making the play-offs.

But O’Neill, after some initial tinkering, is getting a consistent tune out of his hard-working, well-drilled Forest side.

His selection has included leaving last summer’s record £13.2m Portuguese midfielder Joao Carvalho on the bench.

But his midfield five shut down Derby with an organised display.

Forest raced into the lead and didn’t look back.

Ryan Yates won a free-kick which Joe Lolley delivered and Derby’s Jayden Bogle failed to clear his lines as his header looped up. Daryl Murphy headed it back across goal and defender Benalouane, wearing a face mask due to a broken bone in his skull, converted from close range.

It was the Tunisian’s first goal for Forest since a January switch from Leicester.

Shell-shocked Derby eventually gathered some composure and created a great chance to level in the 14th minute.

Duane Holmes played Martyn Waghorn clear down the middle but the striker appeared to lose his bearings as he clipped a leftfoot shot well wide.

Forest could have doubled their lead moments later when Lolley unselfishly played in Murphy.

But the Irish frontman took a poor first touch which enabled keeper Kelle Roos to come off his line well to gather.

Lolley was a major threat on the right where he had a good battle with veteran Ashley Cole, 38, making his second start back in England.

The hosts had another chance before half-time when Yates flung himself at Lolley’s shot and headed it just wide.

At the break, Lampard sent on Florian Jozefzoon and he quickly called keeper Costel Pantilimon into action.

The visitors then dominated possession but failed to carve out many clear-cut chances.

And players again had to be separated at the final whistle as the feisty affair boiled over once more.