Nottingham Forest suffered their second away League defeat of the season in spite of fighting back convincingly in the second half.

Forest had a lot of possession and some good passing from the outset, but it was Coventry that took the lead half way through the first half and although Forest fought back well they were unable to find the target.

Forest impressed in the second half with numerous chances, but they were unable to find the elusive equalizer and finish the day four points behind the top two.

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Forest looked positive from the outset and came close in the opening minutes from a well-taken free kick. Paul McKenna's ball found Joe Garner in space and Keiren Westwood had to be alert to make the save with his legs.

Forest continued to put pressure on Coventry with some good passing football, although their final ball let them down on more than one occasion.

But it was Coventry that took the lead in the 23rd minute after Clinton Morrison got away down the left and got his cross over at a tight angle. Richard Wood's effort from close range was stopped by Lee Camp but Freddy Eastwood followed up to ensure the ball went into the back of the net.

Forest responded well and came close to a quick equalizer when Chris Gunter's header into the box found Garner who rose well, his effort beating the keeper but going just wide.

Coventry threatened again from the corner and Eastwood's ball found Michael McIndoe, but Camp had his near post covered and was able to put the ball out for a corner.

Forest started the second half well and Chris Cohen made a great run forward, crossing to Guy Moussi, but his effort went wide.

Cohen created another chance with a superb ball into the box towards the six-yard line which found Moussi but again he shot wide.

But Forest continued to put the pressure on and came close when Majewski's header took a deflection, sending it over the crossbar for a corner.

And they were just off target again when Anderson crossed the ball in. It was headed out by Wood but fell for Majewski who aimed for the top corner and with Westwood unable to reach it, the ball went just wide of the top corner.

In the 68th minute Garner was replaced by Robert Earnshaw and shortly after there was a break in play when the referee went down injured and had to be replaced.

David McGoldrick also came on at this stage to take the place of Anderson as Forest fought to get an equalizer.

But with the minutes ticking away the third substitute was needed and Lewis McGugan came on for Moussi.

They continued to push forward at every opportunity but it was Coventry who should have scored with their only real chance of the half. Substitute Carl Baker and Eastwood combined well to get the ball through to another substitute Gary Deegan who made a superb run into the box only to miss the target.

The six minutes stoppage time was interrupted for a full minute when Wood picked up an injury, but Forest were frustrated by the home side and were unable to create any late chances.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Morgan, Wilson, Gunter, Cohen, McKenna (C), Moussi(McGugan 77min), Majewski, Anderson(McGoldrick 72min), Garner(Earnshaw 68min), Blackstock
Subs not used: Smith, Perch, Chambers, Adebola

Coventry City: Westwood, Wright(C), Cranie, McPake, Wood, Gunnarsson(Deegan 63min), Clingan, McIndoe, Bell,(Baker 81min) Eastwood, Morrison
Subs not used: Konstantopoulos,Hussey, Barnett, Grandison, Jeffers
Bookings: Wood 29min, McPake 39min, McIndoe 67min, Baker 87min
Scorer: Eastwood 23min

Referee: A Bates(Amy Fearn 71min)
Attendance: 18,225 Away attn: 3,483