An excellent performance by Forest helped to maintain their play-off spot and put an end to Carlisle's run of 14 consecutive home League wins.

It was a good, evenly matched performance with opportunities at both ends, but good defending at both ends made it difficult for either side to get on the scoresheet.

The second half was fast and furious but it was Forest who finally broke the deadlock with a goal in the 76th minute. Carlisle fought back, putting pressure on the Forest defence but it was the away side that scored again late in stoppage time.

There was a strong, swirling wind at the start of the game which came in to the back of Paul Smith, giving him a huge range to his kicks but making the ball difficult for all the players to control.

It was a bright start from Forest who had the first chance of the game in the third minute, from a Chris Cohen corner. The ball flew into the six-yard box to Luke Chambers who was in a perfect position but missed the ball completely. Lewis McGugan tried to get on the end of it but sent it flying over the bar.

But, with the confidence that 14 consecutive home League wins gives a team, Carlisle soon began to push forward.

They made a great break when Junior Agogo gave the ball away and a low cross to the back post evaded Smith and was headed for Cleveland Taylor as he ran in. But Julian Bennett got there before him and turned the ball away for a corner.

There was a change of referee just after the half hour mark after Mark Halsey picked up an injury and the fourth official took his place.

After the game restarted Nathan Tyson flicked the ball forward to Agogo whose shot from 25 yards was only just wide.

Carlisle created a chance when Danny Graham got away from Wes Morgan and made a quick run to the edge of the penalty area but sent the ball just wide.

Tyson made a great quick break and put ball into the penalty area but his effort went between Agogo and Brett Ormerod, neither of whom were able to get on the end of it before it was cleared by a Carlisle defender.

As the game gathered pace in the closing minutes Graham got a touch from the cross, forcing a good save from Smith.

Both sides had a number of half chances during the first half but good defending by both teams saw it finish goalless.

Having picked up a slight problem with his hamstring Tyson did not re-appear for the start of the second half, being replaced by Garath McCleary.

Two minutes into the half Agogo and McCleary combined well to get the ball to McGugan whose shot was only just wide of the post.

A minute later Forest had to make a second substitution. Morgan had been ill during the break and tried to carry on but was unable to do so and quickly went off, with Ian Breckin taking his place.

Good defending prevented Carlisle from getting a shot in when the cross came in from the left. Taylor and Bennett both went diving in and the Forest player intercepted well to clear the danger.

A powerful 30-yard shot by Graham produced another terrific save from Smith who could only punch the ball away. But Bennett, having a superb game, was on hand again to get the ball away.

McCleary looked impressive when one minute he was creating a chance on goal, although he was off target, and the next minute back helping the Forest defence.

Forest took the lead 15 minutes from full time after superb delivery of a free kick by McGugan. Chambers got on the end of the cross and headed a bullet of a ball which had Keiren Westwood beaten and flew into the top corner.

Carlisle were quickly on the attack and, picking up the cross, Graham got in between Breckin and Chambers, but fortunately his header was aimed straight at Smith.

Forest had another chance when McCleary won the ball well and put it through to Agogo, who volleyed straight towards Westwood who dived to beat the ball away.

Carlisle piled on the pressure and almost equalised with three minutes to go from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's cross, which found Danny Livesey. His effort hit the bar and the rebound was headed over by substitute Danny Carlton.

Forest doubled their lead in stoppage time after some excellent work by Chris Cohen who squared the ball to substitute Emile Sinclair. His effort was saved but fell to McCleary who put the ball in from close range to score his first goal for the club.

Nottingham Forest: Paul Smith, Kelvin Wilson(C), Wes Morgan(Ian Breckin,47min), Julian Bennett, Luke Chambers, Lewis McGugan, Sammy Clingan, Chris Cohen, Brett Ormerod, Nathan Tyson(Garath McCleary 45minHT), Junior Agogo(Emile Sinclair,85min)
Subs not used: Mark Byrne, Matt Thornhill
Bookings: Clingan 88min
Scorer: Chambers 75min, McCleary 90+3min

Carlisle United: Keiren Westwood, David Raven, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Danny Livesey(C), Peter Murphy, Chris Lumsdon, Danny Graham, Simon Hackney, Evan Horwood, Grant Smith(Danny Carlton 78min), Cleveland Taylor(Gary Madine
84min)
Subs not used: Chris Howarth (GK), Zigor Aranalde, Paul Arnison,
Bookings: Lumsdon 74min

Referee: M Halsey(M.Oliver 32min)
Attendance: 9,979 Away attn: 602