ROBINS SOARING ON THEIR TRAVELS
But it’s another loss for Dougie
LEE JOHNSON’S fun on the road continued as Bristol City came from behind to deservedly inflict a third successive defeat on Nottingham Forest.
The chirpy Robins boss had every reason to be delighted as Jonathan Kodjia and Aden Flint scored to clinch a third successive away victory since he was appointed and move them eight points clear of the drop.
Forest fell away badly after Ben Osborn had put them ahead and now face a challenge not to repeat their nightmare end to last season.
Johnson said: “I was impressed with our reaction after going a goal down at a place like this. We could have capitulated but instead we were really solid and deserved the win.
“We had to weather a couple of five to ten-minute spells but in the end could have won by a couple more goals.
“There were outstanding performances by some of my academy players including Joe Bryan, Bobby Reid and Luke Freeman mixed up his game well. With our tails up, he looked full of confidence.”
Forest suffered an early blow when Jamie Ward, who made a lively start and volleyed just wide from a glorious chance in the second minute, pulled up with a hamstring injury.
Chris Cohen provided the inswinging free-kick for Osborn to turn and produce a superb low finish to put the home side ahead on the half hour. It was their first goal in 360 minutes of City Ground football.
The visitors regularly found space just outside the Forest box and merited their 42nd-minute leveller.
Joe Bryan’s left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and rebounded conveniently off a post for impressive striker Kodija to slide into an empty net.
After an early Forest flurry, during which Cohen was booked for diving, it was all City in the second half.
Lee Tomlin, who caused countless problems on the left flank, saw his cross palmed out by de Vries only for Freeman to hit the post from close range.
Then Flint was also denied by the woodwork, albeit from a near impossible angle.
Their reward came in the 70th minute when Flint powered a near-post header into the net via de Vries and a post, from Luke Freeman’s corner.
Bristol continued to attack fluently and looked far more likely to add a third than a Forest equaliser.
A speculative low shot from skipper Matt Mills that was easily saved by Richard O’Donnell in injury time was Forest’s sole effort in anger in the second half.
City’s win, which completed a notable double over Forest, lifts them well clear of relegation trouble whilst Forest have work to do to avoid another season ending limply.
Last term they took just two points out of a possible 24 and the thought may have been in manag- er Dougie Freedman’s mind when he said: “We don’t want the season to slip away.
“I thought we played well for an hour, most particularly in the first half when we went ahead and could have made more of our opportunities.
“It was a blow losing Jamie Ward and also to concede an equaliser late in the half and come in at 1-1.
“Again we started well, but lost discipline and they opened us up on the break.
“We played some good stuff but didn’t make the right decisions in front of goal.
“We’ve got to get back to basics such as defending set pieces.”