Bottle shock for Potters
NOTTINGHAM FOREST face another investigation after a fan threw a bottle at Stoke’s Josh Maja in this thriller.
A Forest supporter also ran on the pitch in a separate incident after Brennan Johnson put the Reds ahead in the 56th minute of a dramatic second half.
All this comes six days after a Leicester hooligan was arrested after hitting out at Forest players on the pitch in the Reds’ 4-1 FA Cup win.
Potters boss Michael O’Neill claimed a bottle beer was hurled at Maja after his 68th minute equaliser.
“There were beer bottles, that was pretty disappointing to see that, “said O’Neill.
“Someone managed to get into the ground with a full glass bottle of beer – and then it was tossed on to the pitch.
“I didn’t expect that, because this is a great place to come and play.”
Reds keeper Brice
Samba was sent off in the 86th minute after he knocked Stoke’s Phil
Jagielka to the ground. Samba was looking to throw the ball out with Jagielka blocking him. Samba lashed out and was red-carded by referee Leigh Doughty who also gave a penalty.
Forest had already used their three subs and centrehalf Joe Worrall had to go in goa – and was immediately beaten by Lewis Baker with his spot kick two minutes from time.
“I wasn’t surprised at the sending off,” said O’Neill.
“The keeper cannot do that. He’d played well too. But the ref was right in that situation.
“But it was frustrating not to win, I felt we were the better team. That’s something we have to improve on.”
Forest weren’t done though and after James Garner smashed the ball against the bar with his free-kick, sub Ryan Yates saved the game for
Forest in added time.
Yates scored from close range as the Potters tried to clear up the aftermath of Garner’s shot.
But it wasn’t enough to keep Forest in the Championship’s top six and boss Steve Cooper said:
“Samba knows he’s made a huge error.
“For all the mistakes the referee made today, I have no complaints with the red card.
“Stoke looked vulnerable and the game was there for the taking. Then Samba has his moment.”