The last time we played Southend it was torrid affair with Forest coming away with a draw when clearly a win was earned.

This time Forest was placed under pressure right from the start and was slow to react to the pressure. It was a game that proceeded at a pace, fast runs from Southend were matched by breaks at the other end.

After 12 minutes of stalemate Southend broke through to score. Slowly Forest began to get the measure of this team and after 18 minutes the equaliser came from Thomas Like with a well taken left foot shot that beat to keeper squarely on pace.

The second half started as the first ended, good pressure from Forest and a change in formation to an attacking 3 at the back had plenty of play in the Southend half, several crosses into the box had Robert placed at the six yard marker for a shot beating the keeper to the left hand side of the goal. The counter attack was repelled successfully by Forest for another 15 minutes but an individual effort resulted in the equaliser. From then on Forest battled to win the game and on several occasion Southend hung on to claim the point but a brilliant performance from all the Forest team to more than match a team above them.

Squad: