Nottingham Forest secured their first home victory since November at the expense of relegation rivals Coventry.

After a poor first half, Forest almost led when Chris Gunter's cross struck unwitting team-mate Dexter Blackstock but the ball came back off the post.

Garath McCleary then carried the ball from inside his own half, cut infield and squeezed a left-footed shot inside the near post from 18 yards out.

Substitute Robbie Findley slotted a shot under Joe Murphy for the second.

The defeat leaves Coventry, who have now lost their last nine away matches, five points behind fourth-from-bottom Forest after Portsmouth's deduction of 10 points dropped the south coast club into the relegation places.

For a long time a stalemate had looked inevitable and Forest were booed off at half-time by their supporters.

Forest boss Steve Cotterill responded with a double substitution, introducing Findley and fellow striker Blackstock, with Marcus Tudgay and midfielder Scott Wootton making way.

Findley was involved immediately, winning the corner from which McCleary shot wide, before Blackstock's accidental intervention from Gunter's cross.

Murphy's bravery denied McCleary as he dived at the feet of the Forest forward, while Gary Deegan went close for Coventry as he unleashed a shot that flew narrowly past the top corner.

McCleary continued to impress and his driven cross was flicked goalwards by Andy Reid, but Murphy somehow managed to turn it away.

However, there was little the Coventry goalkeeper could do to prevent Forest's opener from McCleary's surging run and shot.

And with four minutes remaining United States international Findley controlled Reid's cross on his chest before shooting past Murphy.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (5)

Nott'm Forest

  • 01 Camp
  • 02 Wootton (Blackstock - 46' )
  • 04 Chambers
  • 05 Higginbotham
  • 16 Gunter
  • 26 Elokobi
  • 11 Reid
  • 19 Moussi
  • 22 Guedioura
  • 12 McCleary (Greening - 78' )
  • 20 Tudgay (Findley - 46' )

Substitutes

  • 21 Smith
  • 33 Lynch
  • 14 Greening
  • 23 Blackstock
  • 24 Findley

Coventry

  • 01 Murphy
  • 02 Keogh
  • 15 Cranie
  • 26 Clarke
  • 31 Christie
  • 08 Baker (Bell - 77' )
  • 12 Deegan (Eastwood - 89' )
  • 16 Norwood
  • 11 McSheffrey
  • 18 Nimely
  • 22 Platt

Substitutes

  • 13 Dunn
  • 37 Willis
  • 07 Bell
  • 32 Thomas
  • 10 Eastwood
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 21,588

Match Stats

Shots

11 9

On target

5 4

Corners

10 7

Fouls

9 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:08 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:49

Martin Cranie concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan Greening. Free kick taken by Andy Reid.

90:00 +1:31

The ball is sent over by Gary McSheffrey.

90:00 +0:34

David Bell takes a shot. Save by Lee Camp.

90:00 +0:09

Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the right by-line.

90:00 +0:02

A cross is delivered by Gary McSheffrey, clearance made by Danny Higginbotham.

88:41 Substitution

Substitution Gary Deegan goes off and Freddy Eastwood comes on.

87:42

Jordan Clarke gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Robbie Findley. Andy Reid crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Joe Murphy.

87:03

Richard Keogh delivers the ball.

85:34

Assist by Andy Reid.

85:34 Goal scored

Goal - Robbie Findley - Nott'm For 2 - 0 Coventry Robbie Findley gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Nottm Forest 2-0 Coventry.

83:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Oliver Norwood by Jonathan Greening. Gary McSheffrey takes the free kick.

83:20

Cyrus Christie produces a cross, clearance made by Chris Gunter.

83:03

The ball is swung over by Jordan Clarke, clearance by Luke Chambers.

81:12

Centre by David Bell, Danny Higginbotham manages to make a clearance.

78:25

Clive Platt challenges Chris Gunter unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Camp takes the free kick.

77:16 Substitution

Substitution Garath McCleary goes off and Jonathan Greening comes on.

76:00 Substitution

Substitution David Bell replaces Carl Baker.

76:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Keogh by Robbie Findley. Direct free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

75:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jordan Clarke by Robbie Findley. Jordan Clarke takes the free kick.

73:35 Goal scored

Goal - Garath McCleary - Nott'm For 1 - 0 Coventry A goal is scored by Garath McCleary from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Nottm Forest 1-0 Coventry.

71:41

Carl Baker delivers the ball.

68:44

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid, clearance made by Cyrus Christie.

68:22

Andy Reid takes a shot. Save made by Joe Murphy.

66:22

Dexter Blackstock concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Nimely. Shot comes in from Gary McSheffrey from the free kick.

66:15

Carl Baker delivers the ball, clearance made by Danny Higginbotham.

64:37

Centre by Alex Nimely, save made by Lee Camp.

63:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Robbie Findley on Richard Keogh. Martin Cranie takes the direct free kick.

63:20

The ball is crossed by Andy Reid.

60:53

Carl Baker sends in a cross.

60:23

Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey, Dexter Blackstock makes a clearance.

60:08

Alex Nimely takes a shot. Blocked by Luke Chambers.

58:59

Effort from deep inside the area by Robbie Findley misses to the left of the goal.

58:41

The ball is delivered by Gary McSheffrey, save made by Lee Camp.

56:53

Foul by Cyrus Christie on Andy Reid, free kick awarded. The ball is crossed by Andy Reid, Header from deep inside the area by Dexter Blackstock goes over the bar.

55:48

Gary Deegan takes a shot from long distance which goes wide of the right-hand post.

54:23

Clive Platt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Higginbotham. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.

53:50

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Gary McSheffrey, clearance made by Danny Higginbotham.

53:01

A cross is delivered by Andy Reid, save made by Joe Murphy.

51:11

Alex Nimely produces a cross, clearance by Luke Chambers.

49:35

Chris Gunter takes a shot. Joe Murphy makes a save.

48:52

Corner from the right by-line taken by Gary McSheffrey, save by Lee Camp.

48:45

Carl Baker delivers the ball, blocked by George Elokobi.

48:11

Cyrus Christie delivers the ball, save made by Lee Camp.

47:25

Corner taken by Andy Reid played to the near post, clearance made by Clive Platt.

46:59

Header from inside the area by Chris Gunter bounces off the post.

45:42

Corner taken by Andy Reid played to the near post, Jordan Clarke makes a clearance.

45:32

Centre by Robbie Findley, blocked by Jordan Clarke.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Scott Wootton goes off and Dexter Blackstock comes on.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Robbie Findley replaces Marcus Tudgay.

45:00 +1:07 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +0:29

Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey played to the near post, Scott Wootton manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +0:08

Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey, clearance made by Marcus Tudgay.

44:48

Gary McSheffrey takes a shot. Blocked by George Elokobi.

43:58

Outswinging corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the left by-line, clearance by Marcus Tudgay.

43:49

Gary McSheffrey delivers the ball, blocked by Scott Wootton.

42:41

George Elokobi concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Keogh. Direct free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

42:31

The ball is delivered by Andy Reid, clearance made by Martin Cranie.

42:17

Guy Moussi crosses the ball, clearance by Cyrus Christie.

41:46

Clive Platt challenges Danny Higginbotham unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Camp restarts play with the free kick.

41:16

The official flags Garath McCleary offside. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

40:56

Unfair challenge on Scott Wootton by Clive Platt results in a free kick. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.

40:15

The ball is crossed by Gary McSheffrey, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

39:41

Gary McSheffrey takes a shot. Save made by Lee Camp.

38:40

Gary McSheffrey delivers the ball, save by Lee Camp.

37:01

Garath McCleary takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy. Corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid to the near post, clearance by Martin Cranie.

36:46

Gary Deegan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Guy Moussi. Guy Moussi restarts play with the free kick.

34:45

The ball is crossed by Carl Baker, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

33:29

Corner taken by Andy Reid from the left by-line played to the near post, save by Joe Murphy.

33:29

Andy Reid takes the inswinging corner, Joe Murphy makes a save.

33:23

Centre by George Elokobi, Cyrus Christie gets a block in.

32:26

Alex Nimely takes a shot. Save made by Lee Camp.

31:49

Cyrus Christie crosses the ball, save made by Lee Camp.

30:39

Adlene Guedioura is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

30:04

Scott Wootton produces a cross.

29:01

Andy Reid decides to take a short corner.

27:51

Centre by Danny Higginbotham, clearance made by Cyrus Christie.

27:24

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid from the right by-line, clearance by Richard Keogh.

27:16

The ball is sent over by George Elokobi, Gary McSheffrey manages to make a clearance.

26:53

A cross is delivered by Scott Wootton, clearance made by Cyrus Christie.

25:29

Marcus Tudgay has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

22:30

Chris Gunter fouled by Gary McSheffrey, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luke Chambers.

21:52

Carl Baker delivers the ball, Header by Alex Nimely from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

21:10

Foul by Scott Wootton on Gary McSheffrey, free kick awarded. Jordan Clarke takes the direct free kick.

19:07

Marcus Tudgay has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

18:40

Unfair challenge on Luke Chambers by Alex Nimely results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Luke Chambers.

16:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Clive Platt by Scott Wootton. Jordan Clarke restarts play with the free kick.

14:48

Gary McSheffrey handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Lee Camp takes the free kick.

14:38

Carl Baker delivers the ball, clearance by Luke Chambers.

12:54

Long range effort by Garath McCleary goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

12:26

Centre by Gary McSheffrey, Lee Camp makes a save.

11:02

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid, Martin Cranie makes a clearance.

10:36

Richard Keogh handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Reid from right channel, Martin Cranie makes a clearance.

10:02

Carl Baker delivers the ball.

9:42

Jordan Clarke fouled by Adlene Guedioura, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

9:06

Outswinging corner taken by Andy Reid from the left by-line, clearance by Cyrus Christie.

8:56

A cross is delivered by Garath McCleary, blocked by Cyrus Christie.

8:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Nimely on Adlene Guedioura. Direct free kick taken by Adlene Guedioura.

7:19

Shot from long range by Alex Nimely goes wide of the left-hand upright.

5:23

Inswinging corner taken by Andy Reid from the right by-line, save made by Joe Murphy.

3:02

The ball is sent over by Gary McSheffrey, save by Lee Camp.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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