Coach John Pemberton paid a warm tribute to his young Nottingham Forest reserve side after they brought the curtain down on their Totesport.com Central Division season with a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.
The Blades fielded an experienced line-up packed with Premier League, let alone Championship, experience.
But The Reds proved to be more than a match for them at Bramall Lane with Ryan Whitehurst and James Reid scoring on either side of half-time.
Forest were denied an end-of-season victory by two controversial refereeing decisions but Pemberton was nonetheless delighted with their display.
"I told the players afterwards that I can't remember a time this season when I've been more pleased with them," he said.
"They were superb against a United side that wouldn't look out of place in a Championship fixture."
Forest have finished as runners-up to Shrewsbury in the Central Division and Pemberton added:
"We've only lost three games in two seasons and I don't necessarily feel the players get the credit they deserve."
Report courtesy of Sheffield United FC website:
An entertaining encounter at Bramall Lane saw an unusually experienced Blades side come from behind but then lose the lead against Nottingham Forest.
Forest definitely caught the Blades on the hop from the first whistle, settling immediately to their task and Whitehurst tested Bennett from distance.
When Sharpe, in front of Redmond, blocked Webber's fierce volley from Brown's cross it seemed as if United had settled down but the visitors put paid to that by taking an eighth minute lead.
Their neat midfield passing enabled WHITEHURST to advance and try his luck from 25 yards although Bennett seemed well-place before the shot took a deflection off Howard and nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
Webber lashed a fierce drive too high and Sharp flick-headed Hendrie's centre too close to the goalkeeper, before Forest threatened with another deflected free-kick that brought a corner.
United, though, were beginning to wrest the initiative their way with Roe shooting beyond the far post and Sharp only denied by Sharpe's last-ditch challenge.
Forest's early promise was fading as Hendrie and Howard seized control of the midfield, bringing team-mates into the game with much more control.
Although Howard put a free-kick too high United were totally in charge and levelled when WEBBER jinked past his marker and fired home fiercely after 32 minutes.
Goalkeeper Redmond had to produce a thrilling save to thwart Sun who let fly with a powerful drive, before Sharp turned sweetly but pulled his effort just wide.
It was no surprise when the Blades scored again to take a 39th minute lead, LUPOLI getting his head to Sun's accurate ball in and steering it home.
After ending the first-half under the cosh Forest re-started in much better style which paved the way for a scrappier but more even second period, although clearcut chances were fewer.
Lupoli should have found the net but headed Webber's clever centre wide when unmarked, and although Whitehurst was more accurate at the other end his header was straight at Bennett.
But the visitors did equalise with a thunderous 55th minute strike. Moloney did the groundwork with a fine burst into the box and although a first chance was blocked the ball broke to REID who gave Bennett no chance with a rasping effort into the top corner.
Sharp was unlucky to see his chip beat the goalkeeper but land on the roof of the net, but immediately Forest were also close to taking the lead but Rodney and Hopkinson couldn't force the ball home.
Sun produced a magnificent pass for Hendrie to intelligently reverse the ball into Lupoli's path but the Italian took a touch too many and the chance was snuffed out.
Bennett made his first meaningful save in the 74th minute, getting down smartly to deny Moloney as the action continued in end to end fashion.
In quick succession United had three chances to grab a winner; Webber shot too high, Sharp was inches from Lupoli's centre in front of goal and then Howard hit a post.
Even then Forest had the last opportunity but when Reid played in Bencherif he hurried his shot and put a decent chance over the top.
United: Bennett; Sun, James, Bromby, Brown (S-Latef 60); Webber, Hendrie (Tahar 87), Howard, Roe (K Quinn 75); Sharp, Lupoli.
Unused: Haber, Senicanin.
Forest: Redmond, Moloney, Heath, Byrne, Mitchell, Sharpe, Bencherif, Whitehurst (Hook 75), Rodney (Tait 63), Hopkinson (Darnet 84), Reid.
Unused: Mytides, Diagne.
