Nottm Forest 2 Norwich City 0

Last updated : 30 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Nottingham Forest were fortunate to win their second game in four days after needing a disastrous Robert Green error and a controversial penalty to beat Norwich City 2-0 at the City Ground.

Forest had the better chances in a tight first half and midfielder Stephen McPhail, on loan from Leeds United, curled an effort just wide of the right-hand upright.

At the other end Paul McVeigh's header looked goalbound until Michael Dawson, who was on the line, was alert enough to head the ball away for a corner.

However, Forest took the lead on the half-hour with a bizarre David Johnson goal.

Green ended a Forest attack by claiming the ball but then rolled the ball forward without looking behind him.

He did not notice that Johnson was lurking several yards away and the former Ipswich Town striker nipped in to take the ball off the keeper's toes and slot the ball into an empty net.

Forest's second goal also had an element of fortune. They were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when Johnson was adjudged to have been held by Gary Holt.

It appeared that there was little contact but Marlon Harewood stepped up to slot home the spot-kick.

Seven minutes later Harewood headed just wide as Forest looked to increase their lead.

Norwich's best chance to get back into the game came in the 65th minute when only a brilliant Darren Ward save denied Elvis Hammond whose header looked certain to cross the line.

Forest though had little trouble holding on to their lead as they moved up to ninth in the Nationwide Division One table.