Wonder goal seals win for Monk’s men
CHRIS WOOD’S 20th goal of the season was overshadowed by a magnificent strike from team-mate and substitute Souleymane Doukara as Leeds marched on.
Wood was on hand after 54 minutes to force the ball over the line after Kyle Bartley’s header, from Pablo Hernandez’s corner, was blocked.
Far more memorable was a sensational volley from Doukara that wrapped up the points, a sweet, rasping first-time shot that flew into the top left hand of the net.
Leeds were out to make amends for a rare defeat, at neighbours Barnsley on Saturday, and move back into third place.
Had Stuart Dallas converted Kemar Roofe’s far-post cross with just 15 seconds on the clock, it might have been a comfortable night for Garry Monk’s rejuvenated Leeds.
Instead, Forest stuck to their task admirably and might have taken the lead in the seventh minute.
Eric Lichaj’s cross-field pass was controlled superbly by Britt Assombalonga, whose crisp volley was kept out by Robert Green’s spectacular fingertip save.
And while Dallas and Hernandez tried their luck with long-range efforts, a combination of a poor final pass and dogged defending kept the home team out.
Roofe almost changed the pattern late in the first half with some neat footwork and a curling shot that was just over.
But Leeds were fortunate that Ben Osborn mis-controlled in a promising position and that their own midfielder made an amazing defensive header to clear a brilliant Jamie Ward cross.
Leeds started the second half in much more dynamic fashion, Dallas skipping away from Lichaj for a cross which caused problems for keeper Stephen Henderson, who won a free-kick for a hard challenge from Wood.
Leeds kept up the pressure as Luke Ayling rose to head a free-kick just wide.
Another set-piece ended with Eunan O’Kane seeing his half-volley deflected.
The spell of pressure led to Wood breaking the deadlock and left Forest facing an uphill task, with caretaker Gary Brazil responding by throwing on former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner.