Forest claim maximum points in South Wales

Nottingham Forest continued their excellent away form by returning from Swansea with three points, thanks to a David McGoldrick strike.

The former Southampton striker fired the Reds in front after 35 minutes, after Swansea failed to clear a Forest corner and McGoldrick was on hand to fire the ball past Swans keeper Dorus De Vries.

The home side did put the Forest defence under a lot of pressure throughout the game, but after proving that they were up for the challenge following Tuesday's clean sheet at Sheffield United, they never looked in danger of conceding.

Manager Billy Davies was back in the dug out after missing the game in midweek at Bramall Lane, and he made a bold statement by dropping leading scorers Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw and replacing them with McGoldrick and Dele Adebola.

And although the decision may have raised eyebrows, no one could question the Scot's judgement afterwards, as it was McGoldrick who scored the goal to continue the visitors unbeaten away record.

Swansea did pose a threat in the second half with the introduction of on loan man Lee Trundle, but he wasted two good chances to draw the hosts level.

First he cut inside Nicky Shorey, but saw a curled effort go just wide of Lee Camp's post, and then in injury time he wasted a great chance by firing over from eight yards out.

In the end astute defending from Forest was enough to see them claim their second clean sheet in a week and hold on to three points, to take them up to third in the table at least untill Cardiff take on Boro on Sunday, and are just two points behind 2nd placed West Bromwich Albion.

Unbeaten away, we're Nottingham Forest, unbeaten away

Nottingham Forest remain the only side in England to boast an unbeaten away record, after claiming a hard earned point at Sheffield United.

In truth, it was a point gained rather than two dropped as Forest were under pressure for the majority of the game and had to rely on keeper Lee Camp to save them on numerous occasions.

The former Derby keeper kept out efforts from Matt Kilgallon, Stephen Quinn and loanee Henri Camara to ensure that Forest left Yorkshire with a share of the spoils.

Forest did create one decent chance, with Robbie Earnshaw firing wide early in the second half, and also saw a shot comfortably cleared off the line by Blades skipper Chris Morgan.

But the brilliant travelling support were delighted to see the Reds hang on for a point and showed their appreciation to Camp by singing his name at the end of the game.

The match saw assistant David Kelly take charge in the absence of Billy Davies who was ill, and he will be delighted to have maintained Forest's impressive away record and kept the Reds in the play-offs in 4th place.

Earnshaw goes Fox hunting

Nottingham Forest recorded a remarkable East Midlands derby win over rivals Leicester City, with striker Robert Earnshaw bagging a hat-trick on route to a crushing 5-1 win.

The Welsh international was in unstoppable form, and netted Forest's opener after just 12 minutes.

Linking up well with strike partner Dexter Blackstock, the former Norwich man calmly slotted past visitors keeper Chris Weale before celebrating with his trademark somersault in front of the Trent End.

The Reds doubled their lead soon after. Chris Cohen's driven shot went through a melee of players before reaching Earnshaw who scored his second with a deft chip into the net. Cue somersault celebration again.

Forest were rampant and Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was clearly lost in what to do. He made two substitutes in the first half, including top scorer Matty Fryatt, to try and change his team's luck, but to no avail.

Forest started the second half in the same fashion as the first and five minutes into the half Earnshaw had completed his hat-trick.

Picking up a soft backpass by Jack Hobbs, Earnie ran the ball past the unimpressive Wayne Brown and finished emphatically into the top corner of Weale's goal.

Earnshaw had dedicated his second somersault celebration to the 2nd battalion Mercian regiment who were back from serving in Afghanistan, but this time the somersault was saved for the delirious Forest fans sat in the A block.

Paul Anderson won a personal battle by scoring past the hometown club, and beating the banter of his mates.

Forest were in cruise control, and looked dangerous every time they attacked. Yet it was the visitors who scored the next goal. A soft penalty was awarded for handball against Wes Morgan, but in truth there was little chance of the big centre half being able to get out of the way.

Many Reds fans believed the decision was a chance for referee Mike Russell to 'even' up the game, after previously awarding a penalty and then changing his mind against the visitors.

Martyn Waghorn converted the spot kick in off the underside of the bar, but that was as good as it got for the Foxes.

Substitute Dele Adebola put the game beyond doubt by following up fellow substitute Garath Mcleary's powerful drive, to make the scoreline look embarrassing on our East Midlands rivals.

This was one of Forest's best performances of the season, and saw the hosts leap frog their opponents into 3rd place in the table.