A convincing 3-0 win against Ipswich Town ensures Nottingham Forest's place in the play-offs.

It was an evenly match first half but Forest, in spite of having more of the possession, struggled to make the final ball pay and gave the ball away too often against a well-organized Ipswich side.

But there was no doubt about who dominated the second half, with Forest scoring in the second minute and adding two more goals to their tally as Ipswich looked vulnerable.

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It was a bright start to the game on a gloriously warm, sunny afternoon at The City Ground.

Forest had an early chance when Luke Chambers and Nathan Tyson combined well down the right in the third minute and Chambers' effort from 25 yards was only just wide of the far post.

Daryl Murphy threatened for Ipswich when he made a break from midfield, running all the way into the penalty area where he got away from Kelvin Wilson to get a shot in, which was well saved by Lee Camp.

Forest threatened again when Paul Anderson saw his effort come off Damien Delaney's leg and out for one of four Forest corners in the opening ten minutes.

It was the turn of Ipswich to threaten next from the corner. The ball came in to the far post and was headed down for David Norris, whose effort was blocked by Wilson.

Agood break by Forest created a chance, with the ball in by Cohen running along the six-yard line where Robert Earnshaw sent it across the face of goal and only just wide of the post.

Chances were few and far between in the latter part of the half with Ipswich wasting a chance when Connor Wickham sent the ball flying across the face of goal and out the other side.

Forest took the in the second minute of the second half after a free kick from Earnshaw was deflected off Luke Chambers and into the back of the net.

Ipswich were temporarily down to ten men when Delaney went off injured and Forest tried to take advantage with a good ball into the box by Paul Anderson where it was eventually cleared.

And they had another chance from a superb break by Tyson down the left which came to nothing when he tried to feed the ball forward to Earnshaw, but he was blocked out by the Ipswich defence.

Forest persisted and were rewarded with a second goal after a superb run down the left from Chris Gunter who ran into a crowded penalty area where Guy Moussi got on the end of the ball and battled his way through until he finally got it over the line.

James Perch became Forest's first substitute of the afternoon, replacing goalscorer Chambers who had been limping slightly and received a round of applause from the home supporters.

There were screams for a penalty from the Trent End when Dexter Blackstock was brought down inside the penalty area but the referee waved any protests away.

Anderson received a standing ovation when he went off with 16 minutes remaining, replaced by Radoslaw Majewski.

Earnshaw got his 14^th goal of the season to put Forest three up. A good ball from Tyson ran through to Blackstock and on to Earnshaw whose sent the ball through the keeper's legs on the second attempt.

Another great cross in by Tyson could have seen a fourth but this time Earnshaw sent the ball flying high over the crossbar.

It was Tyson's last involvement in the game as he also received a standing ovation for his performance as he came off, replaced by George Boyd.

The loan signing could have got straight on the scoresheet as he made a run into the box to get on the end of the cross, but sent the ball across the face of goal and out the other side.

Ipswich could have had a consolation goal at the start of six minutes stoppage time but David Norris sent the ball over the bar from 10 yards out.

Forest looked dangerous when Majewski sent the ball through to Earnshaw who made a great break and Brian Murphy came running some distance out of his penalty area to make the last save of the game.

Nottingham Forest: Camp(C), Chambers(Perch61min), Morgan, Wilson, Gunter, Anderson(Majewski 75min), Moussi, Cohen, Tyson(Boyd 82min), Earnshaw, Blackstock
Subs not used: Smith, McGugan, McGoldrick, Garner
Scorer: Chambers 46min, Moussi 57min, Earnshaw 77min

Ipswich Town: Murphy, Peters, Delaney(Smith54min), McAuley, O'Connor, Leadbitter, Walters(C), Norris, Colback(Edwards54min), Murphy, Wickham(Healy 69min)
Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, Wright, Martin, Eastman
Booking: Leadbitter 23min

Referee: D Foster
Attendance: 23,459 away attn:1456