NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3 Clough (60, pen,90 + 6), Osborn (89) BRIGHTON 0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST boosted their fight to avoid getting sucked into a relegation battle – and put a dent in Brighton’s hopes of escaping the Championship at the right end – as Gary Brazil’s side won with style at the City Ground.

Chris Hughton’s side had not lost in six games on the banks of the River Trent, but fell to a second consecutive league loss for the first time since September.

Brighton were furious that Forest’s first goal was allowed to stand in the 60th minute, with Britt Assombalonga attempting to get the final touch to a goal-bound shot from Zach Clough. The visitors felt Assombalonga had made contact – from a clearly offside position.

Forest made certain of three points as a blunder from David Stockdale handed Ben Osborn a second Forest goal in the 90th minute, before a Clough penalty, six minutes into injury time, added gloss to the scoreline.

The two sides were both desperately in need of points, for very different reasons – and it lead to a cagey first half. But it was Forest who were to take the lead, in slightly controversial fashion. Clough’s first touch after coming on was a curling shot that was bound for the back of the net. Assombalonga clearly attempted to make a connection to guide it home, but did not appear to touch the ball.

Forest made sure of victory in the 90th minute, albeit with the aid of Stockdale who made a hash of things, flicking the ball to Osborn, who slotted into an empty net. That was not the end of the scoring, as Dunk felled Forest sub Ben Brereton to concede a 96thminute penalty – which Clough duly converted emphatically.