Reds stung by Bees in a night to forget

NOTTINGHAM Forest's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a blow as they fell 2-0 at home to Brentford on Thursday evening.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

Nuno Espirito Santo's side went into the Trentside clash looking to bounce back from Sunday's FA Cup semi-final heartbreak at Wembley.

Playing their game in hand, they knew victory would lift them back up to third in the table and put them in the driving seat for Champions League qualification with four matches to go.

They looked a little shaky early on, though, as the visitors saw plenty of the ball.

Matz Sels had to be alert to thwart a Sepp Van Den Berg header with less than 20 minutes gone.

The Reds grew into the game as a feisty first half wore on but still struggled to test Mark Flekken as the final ball let them down on occasion.

It took until just before the break for them to register their first meaningful effort at goal, with Elliot Anderson trying his luck.

They were then left with work to do heading into the second 45 minutes. Kevin Schade put the Bees ahead on the stroke of half-time after getting the better of Ola Aina following a ball over the top.

Anthony Elanga went close to drawing his team level soon after the turnaround while Chris Wood glanced wide as Forest pushed to get back in the game.

But the Reds were left with a mountain to climb when Yoane Wissa doubled Brentford's lead in the 70th minute.

They continued to push in the closing stages but there was no way through on a frustrating evening on the banks of the Trent.