Forest returned to midweek Premier League action on Tuesday night at Elland Road as the Reds travelled to face Leeds United.
Steve Cooper named the same starting XI that drew to Wolverhampton Wanderers at The City Ground on Saturday. The only change to the matchday squad saw Gustavo Scarpa return to the bench replacing Jack Colback.
It was Forest who had the first sight of goal on the night after a Morgan Gibbs-White in-swinging corner was met by Emmanuel Dennis who saw his effort strike the post.
Neco Williams was the first name in the referee’s notebook on just 9 minutes after pulling down Sinisterra as Leeds looked to hit on the counter attack.
On 12 minutes, it was Forest who found the early breakthrough with Emmanuel Dennis picking out Orel Mangala on the edge of the box, and after taking it past Luis Sinisterra, his right footed strike beat Meslier finding the bottom corner.
Leeds quickly found a response however on the 20-minute mark, with Jack Harrison the first to react after Keylor Navas couldn’t hold onto an edge of the box strike from Leeds midfielder Marc Roca.
It was Javi Gracia’s men who dominated the next phase of play as Forest struggled to retain possession and Leeds started to create chances in and around the Forest penalty area.
The next big chance of the match fell to the home side on 35 minutes with Patrick Bamford unable to make sufficient contact on Roca’s low cross as the ball travelled across the Reds' six-yard box.
On the stroke of half-time, Leeds made their possession count and took the lead through Luis Sinisterra who cut inside onto his right foot before bending his effort past the reach of Keylor Navas and into the bottom right-hand corner.
Half-time: Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest
The first chance of the second half fell to the home side as Patrick Bamford found himself through on goal before Moussa Niakhaté came across and produced a crucial block to deny the Leeds United striker.
Cooper looked to his bench to freshen up the side 10 minutes after the restart with Taiwo Awoniyi and Jonjo Shelvey replacing Danilo and Orel Mangala.
There were chances at both ends on the hour mark with Navas holding onto the ball at the second attempt from a low Leeds cross before a crucial last-ditch tackle from Leeds defender Junior Firpo denied substitute Taiwo Awoniyi at the other end.
Forest’s matchday captain Freuler was the next man to be replaced as Cheikhou Kouyaté made his second substitute appearance in 4 days after returning from injury.
Brennan Johnson was then cautioned on 65 minutes by referee Robert Jones after his foul on Marc Roca was deemed a bookable offence.
On 66 minutes, Patrick Bamford found himself with another great chance inside the Forest penalty area, but he lashed his effort wide of the post with just Navas to beat.
Forest made their final changes of the night after 72 minutes with Morgan Gibbs-White and Emmanuel Dennis both being replaced by Gustavo Scarpa and Andre Ayew.
Javi Gracia decided to follow suit and made two changes of his own with Luis Sinisterra and Brenden Aaronson being replaced by Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville.
As the match entered the final 10 minutes Felipe picked up Forest’s third booking of the night after pulling down Patrick Bamford on the halfway line.
Rodrigo was next to sting the palms of Keylor Navas as he managed to get his shot away from a tight angle with Leeds looking to put the game to bed with less than 5 minutes left on the clock.
On 88 minutes Kouyaté found himself in the notebook after a late tackle brought down Patrick Bamford.
With 5 minutes added to the second period by referee Robert Jones Leeds replaced Patrick Bamford with Rasmus Kristensen and substitute Summerville picked up a yellow card after a late challenge on Gustavo Scarpa.
Forest pushed for a late equaliser in added time but were unable to carve out any meaningful chances and it was the home side who took all 3 points on the night.
Full-time: Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest
LINE-UPS
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas, Neco Williams, Moussa Niakhaté, Felipe, Harry Toffolo, Orel Mangala (Jonjo Shelvey 56’), Remo Freuler (C) (Cheikhou Kouyaté 64’), Danilo (Taiwo Awoniyi 56’), Emmanuel Dennis (Andre Ayew 72’), Morgan Gibbs-White (Gustavo Scarpa 72’), Brennan Johnson
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Joe Worrall, Sam Surridge, Renan Lodi
Goals: Orel Mangala (12’)
Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson (Crysencio Summerville 74’), Marc Roca, Patrick Bamford (Rasmus Kristensen 90’), Jack Harrison, Pascal Struijk, Luis Sinisterra (Rodrigo 74’), Weston McKennie
Substitutes: Joel Robles, Liam Cooper, Darko Gyabi, Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto, Sam Greenwood
Goals: Jack Harrison (20’), Luis Sinisterra (45+1’)
Referee: Robert Jones