Goals:

0-1: Leadbitter (27, sent over a lovely cross to the back post and it took a deflection and hit the woodwork before dropping over the line)

1-1: Gardner (34, afforded the space on the edge of the area to side-foot a lovely curled finish high in to Konstantopoulos’ top left corner)

2-1: Blackstock (65, controlled Antonio’s pass before making the most of the space and beating the Boro keeper with a lovely finish)

Bookings: Leadbitter (43, dissent); Nsue (90, foul)

Referee: Jon Moss (Horsforth) – could have given Forest a penalty but otherwise did well to keep the game flowing. 7

Attendance: 24,200

Entertainment: PP

Forest Boro

Shots on 3 4

Shots off 10 26

Corners 4 9

Offsides 1 0

Fouls 8 12

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Darlow 6; Kane 7, Lascelles 7, Wilson 7, Lichaj 5; Mancienne 6, Gardner 7; ANTONIO 7, Lansbury 5 (Osborn 46, 5), Burke 5; Blackstock 6 (Collins 87). Subs: de Vries (gk), Veldwijk, Paterson, Vaughan, Walker.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Konstantopoulos: Did very little wrong and could not be faulted for either of the Forest goals;

6 Fredericks: Caused problems down the flank even if he was tested by the pace of Antonio before suffering injury

5 Kalas: Had looked solid until Antonio caused him problems in the second half, particularly for the second goal

5 Gibson: Gave Blackstock too much space to turn and score the winner

7 Friend: Constantly looked to get involved going forward and that caused Forest a couple of problems;

6 Leadbitter: A huge slice of fortune about the opener and he got frustrated with a failure to seal the points

7 Clayton: Strong in the tackle and rarely gave the ball away whenever he gained control;

5 Adomah: Started brightly but failed to break in behind the defence as regularly as he would like

7 Tomlin: Playing too deeply at times but still the most likely man to unlock the Forest defence

5 Bamford: One late effort which flew wide was about as close as he came to scoring;

5 Kike: His frustration grew as the minutes ticked by and he wasted a few great positions

Subs:

Nsue (for Fredericks 39): Got forward often enough after his introduction. 5

Vossen (for Adomah 69): Hardly had an impact. 5

Forshaw (for Leadbitter 82)

(not used): Ripley (gk), Whitehead, Reach, Woodgate.

MAN OF THE MATCH: ADAM Clayton – controlled things in the middle and Karanka could have done with his presence in the penalty area.