Three goals and ten shots on target gave Nottingham Forest a comfortable win over Cheltenham to give them six points in five days.

Cheltenham took the lead with their first ever goal against Forest, after 290 minutes of play between the two sides. But Forest came back with a quick equalizer and took the lead just before half time.

Forest added to their tally with another goal at the start of the second half and held onto their lead comfortably to deserve the three points.

The game got off to a quick start and Forest had a chance in the third minute when Kelvin Wilson, seeing nobody to put the ball through to, tried a superb long-range shot from 40 yards, forcing Shane Higgs to tip over the bar.

But, with Cheltenham defending in numbers, Forest struggled to find their rhythm and their movement was poor.

Forest's three strikers combined well to produce Forest's next chance 15 minutes into the game. Junior Agogo crossed in to Garath McCleary who nodded the ball down to Brett Ormerod and his effort from 12 yards out forced a good save from Higgs and McCleary sent the rebound over the bar.

And Agogo was only just wide of the near post with an effort from just outside the penalty area.

But then Cheltehnam took the lead out of nowhere with their first effort on goal, which caught the Forest defence napping. The away side made a quick break and Steven Gillespie found himself through on goal, hit the inside of the post with his shot and the ball went in off the post.

But Forest equalized five minutes later from Wes Morgan's throw-in. It was an excellent Clingan cross to Agogo who chested the ball down, turned and sent it low into the box from 6 yards out.

And Clingan almost got a second with a superb volley from 20 yards, but was denied by the Cheltenham keeper who parried the ball away.

Julian Bennett was troubled by his hamstring towards the end of the half and was replaced by KrisCommons, leaving Wilson and Morgan looking lone figures at the back.

But Forest were on the attack and took the lead two minutes from half time. McGugan fired in a cross, McCleary's header crashed against the crossbar and came back out to Luke Chambers who put his foot out to stick the rebound in.

Cheltenham came close in the opening minute of the second half when Gillespie's effort from 25 yards hit the crossbar.

But Forest increased their lead less than a minute later when Agogo made a charge towards the penalty area and sent the ball flying into the back of the net from 25 yards.

Cheltenham came close to getting one back when Jeremy Gill crossed from the right and Ashley Vincent's header had Smith beaten but thumped against the crossbar.

Forest made a good break down the right and Ormerod made a run to pick up Commons' cross but the ball was a touch too far in front and his effort was soft and easy for Higgs to save.

Neat work by Commons and Ormerod produced another chance for Forest but the ball evaded McCleary's head and also Chambers on the far post.

A poor pass by Cheltenham gave Ormerod a chance to grab the ball and put in a good cross to Commons but he rushed his effort and it went high over the crossbar.

With twenty minutes to go one new boy made way for another with McCleary being replaced by Mark Byrne, making his first senior appearance for the club. And it was almost a dream start for the young player when he chested down Chambers' pass with his first touch of the ball and volleyed across the face of goal and just wide.

FormerForest player Alan Wright was warmly applauded by the Forest fans when he was substituted by Cheltenham soon after.

And a few minutes later, with Forest dominating play, Ormerod received a standing ovation for his excellent contribution to the game when he was replaced by Emile Sinclair.

Agogo came close to his hat-trick when Commons' cross found the Forest striker's head and Higgs had to dive to his left to put the ball out for a corner.

Cheltenham had a chance to get one back just before time but in the end the ball ran across the face of goal and out the other side.

Nottingham Forest: Paul Smith, Kelvin Wilson(C), Wes Morgan, Julian Bennett(Kris Commons, 42min), Luke Chambers, Lewis McGugan, Sammy Clingan, Chris Cohen, Garath McCleary(Mark Byrne 70min), Brett Ormerod(Emile Sinclair, 81min), Junior Agogo
Subs not used: Ian Breckin, James Perch,
Scorers: Agogo 26min, 47min, Chambers 44min,

Cheltenham Town: Shane Higgs, Jeremy Gill (C), Shane Duff, Steven Gillespie, Paul Connor, Scott Brown(Andy Lindegard 74min), David Bird, Ashley Vincent(Damian Spencer 74min), Richard Keogh, Alan Wright(Adam Connolly71min), Craig Armstrong
Subs not used: Scott Brown, Craig Reid
Scorer: Gillespie 20min

Referee: K K Wright
Attendance: 19,860 Away attn: 508