Report: Forest 0 – 1 City

Hull City recorded a memorable victory at Nottingham Forest, equalling a club record undefeated run away from the KC.

The 1-0 at Forest equalled the 13 game undefeated run set by Raich Carter, with City have been undefeated since a 4-0 loss at Burnley in September.

At the same time as equalling their record, the 1-0 win ended Nottingham Forest`s quite superb 36 game undefeated streak at home, with The Tigers holding the acclaim of breaching the previous impenetrable fortress.

Nigel Pearson made just one change to the side that lost 2-0 to Cardiff City, with Vito Mannone replacing Brad Guzan who returned to Aston Villa following his two month loan at the KC. Pearson had made his intentions clear from the off-set, fielding a 4-3-3 formation that was working much better than a week ago.

City looked comfortable in possession but struggled to create any real chances in the first-half. It was the home side that threatened most in the first-half, Robert Earnshaw shooting over Mannone`s cross-bar following a rare defensive laps from James Chester.

The Welsh striker headed over from close range while Paul Anderson, the former City youth midfielder, saw a flicked effort go wide before Polish midfielder Majewski saw his goal bound effort blocked over by the imperious Anthony Gerrard.

The on-loan Cardiff defender did not train during the week but emphasised his importance to the side with a tremendous performance in the City back-line, helping preserve City`s lead. It would be unfair however to praise just Gerrard, with Roseion, Chester and Dawson all terrific in keeping the dangerous Forest at bay.

The on-loan Mannone was a first-half injury scare having tweaked a thigh muscle. The keeper continued, but could not take goal-kicks, Chester taking over this duty after two rather terrible attempts by Gerrard; his only flaw of the afternoon.

Hull`s first effort on target came from a Robert Koren free-kick, although Camp was not troubled. A minute later, and in a similar position, Robert Earnshaw saw his free-kick deflected a yard wide for a corner.

Nigel Pearson introduced debutant David Amoo and the veteran Nick Barmby for Jay Simpson and Aaron Mclean.

City`s second effort and last on target proved to be the only goal of the game, Chester`s long pass from the back deflected into the path of Matty Fryatt who, with Chris Gunter in-front of him, turned one way and then another before shooting calmly off the far post past the advancing Camp to send the 3,500 away fans mad. The Birthday boy had a goal to celebrate, which was also his 100th in his professional career.

Forest introduced Adebola late on, with City bringing on Jack Hobbs to go defensive and counter the aerial presence of the veteran striker. Morgan, the centre-back also moved up-front but saw his header saved by Mannone while Majewski shot wide, spurning Nottingham Forest`s best opportunity of the second-half.

The huge Forest home run ended with something of a whimper as the efficient Tigers masterly kept the home side at bay to record a famous victory. Such a win should install all the belief that is needed to get City into the Play-Offs. The question is, where will this journey end?