The defeat leaves Forest ailing in fourth place; five points behind Carlisle, and a staggering 17 points off the top spot that Calderwood’s men had occupied at Christmas.

It was a bright first half for the home side, but it did not yield enough.

Julian Bennett forced a top-drawer save from Keiren Westwood in the Carlisle goal as Forest forced a wave of corners and attacking pressure.

But the goal did not come until the 71^st minute, and the visitors scored it.

Paul Smith raced from his goal and appeared to call for the ball, but his challenged only gifted Danny Graham the chance to slot home the match winner.

Boos rained down from the bumper crowd as Forest fans were left contemplating a fourth year of League One football.

The next port of call is a visit to Crewe’s Gresty Road, where an instant return to winning ways is the very least Forest need.

Comment - feel free to agree or disagree here or on the messageboard.

The issue tonight is not necessarily the performance. We have seen, tolerated, and sometimes even celebrated far worse.

But the bottom line is this: we have nothing to show for the night’s work, and we look to have thrown it all away. Not for the first time.

Once again we have crumbled on the big occasion; a stunning attendance, television cameras broadcasting our game across the entire world, and an opportunity to pricelessly move second.

Regardless of whether or not it was deserved, we have again quaked, trembled and ultimately toppled when it matters most to succeed.

Is it inappropriate to curse a manager incessantly, lie low through better times, and then pounce when the going gets tough? No, I don’t think it is.

Over the last few games many of us have shelved our valid concerns over Calderwood’s disastrous management of the club in favour of backing the club at a key time.

But did any of us really see the brave away day at Leeds and the points at Brisbane Road as anything more than yet another false dawn?

If so, Calderwood can safely boast that he has tonight destroyed our faith once again.

I am choosing not to dwell much on a reasonable performance. Why? Because this is typical of Forest in recent years.

On the grand stage our side deceptively appear to rise to the challenge, before clipping their heels at the final hurdle and bringing our dreams crashing down with a thump.

The fact is we lost, and we are now surely destined for a play off finish at the very best.

Can anyone among us say with any conviction that they trust Calderwood to win promotion? I doubt it.

How is it possible?

The only way we will now secure second spot is with a run of epic proportions; defying odds and demonstrating balls and bravery that I do not believe we have.

Any such runs are extremely rare, except when a manger departs.

For me, Calderwood should leave the City Ground with a cardboard box full of belongings tomorrow morning. It is the only way we will have a fighting chance.

These are dark times for Nottingham Forest, but if we embark on a fourth year at this level they will only get darker and darker and darker.

Ratings:

Smith - 5 - cost us.

Perch - 6 - did a reasonable job.

Wilson - 5 - bad day for a top defender.

Morgan - 5.5 - did well bringing the ball out, but the centre of defence was chaos at times.

Bennett - 6 - rather sloppy in the pass on occasions, but a reasonable display.

Clingan - 7 - worked hard and played well.

McGugan - 5.5 - vanished on the big occasion; one or two decent touches were not enough.

Commons - 7 - should have scored, but he was the only thing preventing total domination for crab football and route one.

Cohen - 6 - put the work in, but didn't make the impact.

Agogo - 6 - didn't really come off for him at all; a disappointing display.

Holt - 4 - I'm not going to waffle, I just thought he was completely useless.

Subs:

Davies - 5

McCleary - 6 - young man on his debut having been poached from the amateur level of football and he's thrown on with 3 minutes to go...out of position! No pressure then...

Of course, it isn't over until it's over, and second place is not out of reach. But what reason do we have to be confident at all? 

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