By Chris Clegg

Will Hoskins scored a second half goal as Forest's reserves were denied a deserved victory by a late Coventry City equaliser at The City Ground.

The Forest loan striker gave Forest a deserved lead after 56 minutes and lasted 70 minutes in his second comeback game since recovering from the back injury that had sidelined him for almost two months.

Unfortunately, Forest's hopes of victory were dashed by Trinidad and Tobago international striker Chris Birchall, who fired a late equaliser six minutes from time.

Mark Byrne began the game well for Forest, looking dangerous early on the right hand side, he intercepted a pass from Aaron Griffiths, and crossed a hopeful ball in that was cleared by the experienced Arjan De Zeeuw.

Forest continued to press down the right hand side of the pitch, with Felix Bastians swinging in a dangerous free kick after ten minutes, alas Coventry managed to clear again. The only tidy football at the moment was happening down the right side, Matt Thornhill this time providing a pass to Emile Sinclair, only for his shot to be cleared.

Midway through the first half, Forest's left hand side were beginning to contribute, as Bastians began to stamp his authority on that part of the field. He provided a slick pass for Thornhill on 23 minutes only for his low shot to be comfortably cleared.

Meanwhile City began to enjoy a little more possession and broke straight away up the other end. Liam Davis running on and providing a terrific ball for Adam Walker to meet on the half volley (24), luckily for Forest, Redmond was up to the task in goal, pulling off a lovely block.

Apart from his bright yellow boots, Hoskins was very quiet in the first half. The boot of Sinclair didn't do the talking though on 40 minutes as he spurned a gifted opportunity to score in an open net. Seconds later, Thornhill headed over as the chances were coming thick and fast for the Reds.

Forest finally forged a breakthrough when Bastians broke down the left and laid on a perfect pass for Hoskins to tap in for his first goal for the club.

Mark Byrne had a chance on 70 minutes but was stopped in his quest for a deserved goal by a solid Ireland save from his right foot shot. It was now time for Hoskins' contribution to end for today, as he was replaced by Ben Fairclough, he left the field to applause from the Forest faithful.

Forest should have wrapped the match up on 78 as Richard Tait fed Byrne down the left and he played a fine ball to Sinclair, who inexplicably put his shot wide. How he hasn't scored today is a mystery.

The squandered chances were regretted on 84 minutes as Trinidad and Tobago international Birchall broke down the inside left channel and slotted home left footed.

FOREST: Redmond, Moloney, Lockwood, Power, Sharpe, Bencherif (Tait 4 mins), Byrne, Thornhill, Sinclair, Hoskins (B. Fairclough 70 mins), Bastians.
Subs not used: Richardson, Heath, Whitehurst.
Scorer: Hoskins (56 mins)

COVENTRY: Ireland, Fraser, Griffiths, Walker, De Zeeuw, Borrowdale, Cairo, Hughes, Cain, Birchall, Davis.
Subs not used: Fitzharris, Quirke, Cameron, Leluu, Jeffers.
Scorer: Birchall (84 mins)