Two late goals by Nottingham Forest gave them an unexpected victory over Southampton.

Forest may have won today's game but Southampton said goodbye to the Championship in style as they put on a convincing performance watched by an upbeat 2,000 travelling supporters.

Forest conceded a sloppy goal 16 minutes into the game and Southampton looked the more dangerous side in front of goal. Forest had a handful of chances in the first half but their final ball was poor.

Southampton dominated for long periods of the second half until two Forest substitutes combined well to produce an equalizer. A stoppage time goal from Robert Earnshaw sealed the win for Forest.

Article continues
Advertisement
Ian Breckin, wearing the captain's armband and playing his final game for Forest, was one of four changes to the starting line-up along with Guy Moussi, making another step towards full fitness.

Southampton were quick off the mark and came close in the second minute when Adam Lallana crossed to Jason Euell whose effort came off the post.

It was 15 minutes before the Southampton keeper had to make a save, from a free kick by Lewis McGugan. Kelvin Davis let the ball slip out of his hands but managed to put it out for a corner.

A minute later Southampton were in the lead when pass through from Lallana to Bradley Wright-Phillips who sent the ball past Paul Smith and into an empty net.

Forest came close soon after when Dexter Blackstock's ball was picked up by Robert Earnshaw who sent it towards goal, but the ball was effectively blocked by Jan-Paul Saeijs who deflected it for a corner.

And after again producing some good work Blackstock fed the ball through to Earnshaw who came close with an effort that went just wide of the left post from 16 yards out.

Earnshaw was on target again after a great cross by Lewis McGugan to the Forest striker who headed powerfully towards goal and Kelvin Davis dived to his right to make the save.

Chances were few and far between until just before half time when Forest missed a wonderful chance to get level. Chris Gunter sent the ball flying across the face of goal, but there was nobody to get on the end of it.

Joe Garner replaced Blackstock for the start of the second half as Billy Davies tried out a different combination up front.

But it was McGugan who was the first Forest player to venture into the Southampton penalty area. He twisted his way through three players as he controlled the ball but in the end had his effort blocked.

The away side looked far more in control of the ball as the passed well and dominated play.Forest lacked shape and their play at times was sloppy.

Forest came tantalizingly close to an equalizer from a lovely ball by Moussi, who sent the ball neatly over the Southampton defenders to Earnshaw whose volley went just over the crossbar.

Paul Anderson, on for Moussi, also came close with a great looping shot which almost went over Davis,
who did well to tip the ball over.

Forest's two substitutes combined a minute later, to put Forest on level terms, with a great ball from Anderson to Garner who produced a superb shot, lofting the ball over Davis and into the back of the net.

Forest took the lead three minutes from time from a well-taken corner by Cohen. Luke Chambers produced a powerful header which sent the ball flying in from six yards out.

And an 89th minute save by Smith saw him diving low to block David McGoldrick's effort.

Forest's third goal came two minutes into stoppage time and proved to be the last action of the game.

There was a great chance for substitute Arron Davies to score but Davis made the save and the ball came back out to Earnshaw who made no mistake in putting the ball into the bottom corner of the net before taking off to perform his trademark celebration.

The Forest crowd remained in their seats to cheer off both their own team but also the Southampton players.

Billy Davies then came out to thank the Forest fans for their support. This was followed by a farewell to captain Ian Breckin before he led all the players and coaching staff around the ground.

Nottingham Forest: Paul Smith, Chris Gunter, Luke Chambers, Ian Breckin(C), Joel Lynch, Chris Cohen, Lewis McGugan, Guy Moussi(Paul Anderson, 63min), Garath McCleary(Arron Davies, 74min,) Dexter Blackstock(Joe Garner, 45minHT), Robert Earnshaw
Subs not used: James Perch, Matt Thornhill, 
Scorers:Garner 73min, Chambers 87min, Earnshaw 90+2min

Southampton: Kelvin Davis(C), Chris Perry, Jan-Paul Saeijs(Oliver Lancashire  77min), Bradley Wright-Phillips(Romain Gasmi, 71min), Andrew Surman, Jason Euell, David McGoldrick, Morgan Schneiderlin(Oscar Gobern 80min), Adam Lallana, Simon Gillett, Lloyd James
Subs not used: Tommy Forecast, Callum McNish
Bookings: James 60min
Scorer: Wright-Phiilps 16min

Referee: K Stroud

Attendance: 29,008 Away attn: 2,018