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Forest 1-2 Millwall
By Rob Maxwell April 24 2005
Gary Megson was welcomed to Forest by a crowd of 25949 packed into the City Ground to see another lack lustre performance by a struggling Forest side.

The game was effectively settled in the first half as Millwall took a comfortable 2-0 lead into the break after 2 defensive errors.

Forest came back with a consolation in the dying minutes, but continued to miss chance after chance, leaving them now 7 points adrift of safety.

Before the kick off the ground was already rocking, with an air of change around the City Ground.
The City Ground faithful welcome back Evans after a 1 month layoff,
and Taylor started as a centre back as makeshift cover for the suspended Thompson, Hjelde and Morgan.

Forest started the better team, Taylor won the defensives headers and Forest gained early possesion with the Millwall last line of defense tested at regular intervals.
However, as many people have seen over the past few months, Forest went a goal behind completely against the run of play, infact, it was the first time Millwall had possesion.

A long ball from a clearance was sent toward Dichio, Dawson challenged and missed and the ball fell kindly at Hayles' feet. He turned, Louis Jean lunged, but he still found the space in the bottom right corner to silence a buzzing crowd.

Forest had a chance soon after, one of twelve delivered corners in the first half by Commons found the head of Taylor, he headed powerfully toward the bottom right hand corner and it was cleared off the line by Morris.

Millwall's second was the nail in the coffin to the Forest team. It came again against the run of play, Hayles made a strong run and found Dunne square. Dunne had an eternity to pick his spot, as the Trent End watched in Dismay.

Dunne elegantely chipped over a flapping Gerrard to ultimately seal the game.
Forest went off to a ring of boo's once again.

The second half started brightly, within minutes Forest should have cut the lead in half, Johnson not for the first time guilty of missing a sitter.

King did nice work down the right flank and with a discrete pass put Johnson into the box with no defenders on him. He lined up and fired 10 yards over the crossbar when it was probably easier to score.

Forest had more chances as Evans was denied by Stack after he dropped a Johnson shot.
Forest were denied what looked a definate penalty, a handling in the box was met with a shake of the head from the referee, not for the first or last time in this game.

Commons came closest for Forest, King making a cross from the corner flag into the 6 yard box, which was pushed toward goal by Commons, but Stack was equal to it.

Frustrations grew for Forest after Commons was brought down by Dunne. Pushing followed and Commons could have been considered lucky to only escape seeing yellow.

As time grew shorted, Evans looked to have got Forest a goal, but his backheel flick from the 6 yard line rolled agonisingly past the far post with a lifeless Stack only a spectator.

Forest got their deserved goal with 2 minutes remaining, Commons with a weak header saw Stack and the Trent End only realise the outcome when the ball hit the back of the net.
Commons nearly had a double as his dipping volley was tipped over the crossbar by Stack.

The final whistled ended on a game Forest again should have won.

The vast majority of the bumper crowd saw a jaded Forest side lose yet again only due to poor defending and less than mediocre finishing, heading home with a bitter feeling of disappointened.
17 games remain, 30 points are still needed at least. Welcome to the City Ground, Mr Megson.

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