Deadly Dexter helps Forest win

Dexter Blackstock’s first home goal in over seven months helped

Nottingham Forest return to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over

Burnley at the City Ground.

The Reds went into the game following back-to-back defeats to

Ipswich and Hull, but Blackstock, who last scored at the City

Ground in a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at the end of April, set them

on their way to victory.

His strike partner Billy Sharp sealed all three points in the

76th minute, keeping his cool after he was put through on goal by

Andy Reid.

Burnley made a bright start and created the better first-half

chances, despite Forest having more of the ball during the opening

45 minutes.

Charlie Austin had an early opportunity. The Clarets striker

found space down the left side of the penalty box, but showed no

sign of the composure that has seen him score 21 times so far this

season and his effort joined the Burnley fans in the Bridgford

End.

The visitors were having a lot of joy down the right and Martin

Paterson’s shot clipped the outside of a post midway through the

first half following Kieran Trippier’s deep cross.

Forest’s first real chance came just after the half hour mark

when Blackstock powered a header straight at goalkeeper Lee

Grant.

Immediately at the other end, there was another close shave for

Sean O’Driscoll’s side when Chris McCann fired narrowly wide from a

similar position to Austin’s earlier chance.

O’Driscoll would have been relieved to get his players into the

dressing room still on level terms and the hosts were much improved

after the break.

McGugan volleyed over from Reid’s cross early in the second half

before Blackstock broke the deadlock. The striker had a lot of work

to do with Reid’s deep cross but he leapt brilliantly to loop his

header over Grant.

It took a superb save from Camp to preserve the lead as Burnley

sought an immediate reply. The Northern Ireland international got

down well to his left to block when Austin seemed certain to

score.

Forest had another let off midway through the second half when

substitute Sam Vokes headed inches wide as Camp and his defenders

stood statuesque.

But Sharp sealed the victory following good defensive work by

Alan Hutton.

The on-loan Aston Villa full-back sparked a swift Forest counter

attack and Reid slipped in Sharp behind the Burnley defence and he

finished confidently when one-on-one with Grant.