Nottingham Forest's unbeaten run on the road in League One continues as The Reds see off Cheltenham Town with a three-minute first half double salvo from Nicky Southall.

Colin Calderwood named the same team that beat Bristol City at The City Ground last week, with the exception of John Thompson, for The Reds first ever fixture against Cheltenham.

In a bid to end a run of 8 defeats in 9 matches John Ward elected to drop former Forest forward Steve Guinan and replace him up front with defender Gavin Caines.

Mickey Bell caught everyone unawares when his high hanging cross from the left hung in the wind and dropped onto Paul Smith's crossbar, with the defence thinking the ball was going out of play it rebounded to David Bird who blazed a great chance into The Reds fans behind Smith's goal.

After James Perch had found the Cheltenham fans with his long range shot, Damian Spencer headed John Finnigan's cross just wide of Smith's left hand post. Former Forest trainee Finnigan had Danny Cullip for company, a factor that ultimately put him off a shooting chance from a tight angle after Caines flick into the right channel.

Cheltenham restricted Forest to efforts from distance with Sammy Clingan finding the target with a shot from the edge of the box ,but it was straight at Shane Higgs.

With confidence beginning to grow and from a couple of early scares from corners, Shane Duff pealed away unnoticed at the back post to head Grant McCann's corner just over.

Smith was called into spectacular action just before the 30 minutes mark, when at full stretch he tipped McCann's first time left foot volley over for another corner.

Against the run of play Forest's response was incisive, Nicky Southall scored his third goal in as many League games when he drilled Junior Agogo's pass back into the left hand corner of Higgs's net.

While the Forest fans were still celebrating Perch released Harris down the left. Harris turned his marker on the byline and delivered a perfect cross for the incoming Southall who bundled in his second goal in four minutes.

Cheltenham, still reeling from those two blows, continued to pass the ball well but it was Forest who were in the ascendency as the half time whistle blew.

Both teams remained unchanged for the start of the second half and a long thow five minutes from the restart was ficked on by Caines and John Curtis was forced to hurridly hook clear.

Again it was a controlled performance from Forest who didn't look too urgent to stretch the lead. Bird was allowed to cross from the right but his ball missed everyone in a crowded box.

On the hour Caines belied all his defensive instincts when he raced onto a ball over the top to beat the offside trap, he kept his head in the one-on-one situation that develop but Smith stayed big and reacted quickly to deny the him.

Substitute Kayode Odejayi made an immediate impact when he made a powerful run and fired a low shot that forcing Smith to save. McCann had delivered some terrific corners and this was no different particularly when it bounced, a host of legs swung but it was Smith's hands that ended the situation.

Forest had to continue to weather the storm as lanky Nigerian striker Odejayi almost diverted a powerful shot inches wide of the goal, luckily the offside flag would have prevented a way back into the game.

Despite all the pressure Forest did look comfortable, as again the defence held firm notching up another clean sheet.

Forest's impressive run continues as they made it four successive victories, maintaining their five points lead at the top League One.

Cheltenham: Higgs, Gill, Duff, (Odejyi, 67) Caines, Lowe, Finningan (C), Spencer, McCann, Bird (Melligan, 75), Armstrong, Bell (Wilson, 53).
Subs not used: Brown, Wlyde.
Bookings: Duff 45, Spencer 90

Forest: Smith, Curtis, Cullip, Breckin (C), Morgan, Southall, Clingan, Perch, Commons (Lester, 79), Agogo (Grant Holt, 85), Harris (Bennett, 85).
Subs not used: Pedersen, Hughes
Bookings: Perch 25, Harris 34
Scorer: Southall (32 & 36)

Attendance: 6,554 Away: 1,805
Referee: M Jones