Forest kicked off their Emirates FA Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon with a third round clash against Championship side Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Steve Cooper made eleven changes following Wednesday’s victory against Southampton, with Gustavo Scarpa and Billy Fewster handed their first starts.
Scarpa showed a neat touch inside the opening couple of minutes to move away from the congested midfield area before being fouled inside the Blackpool half as both sides looked for a quick start on the Fylde Coast.
James Husband registered the first real opportunity of the cup tie, volleying an effort a yard wide of Wayne Hennessey’s left-hand post from a tight angle.
Returning at right-back, Neco Williams embarked on a dangerous solo run on 10 minutes as he cut inside from the right towards the edge of the penalty area before firing a low effort just wide.
Partnering captain Steve Cook in defence, Scott McKenna made a timely block to deny pacey forward CJ Hamilton an attempt on goal as The Scotsman repelled his powerful effort from 18 yards.
However, the hosts took the lead soon after. Hamilton’s run down the left resulted in a cross towards the back-post which eventually fell for Marvin Ekpiteta to finish past Hennessey to put The Seasiders ahead.
On 23 minutes, Forest almost levelled. Emmanuel Dennis did well to work space inside the area before curling a strike which had ‘keeper Maxwell beaten only for the ball to rebound against the woodwork.
Sam Surridge was through on goal moments later after being released by Scarpa, the forward nudged the ball past his marker before firing into the side netting.
Just after the half hour mark, Harry Toffolo’s cross was cleared as far as Scarpa on the edge of the area but the Brazilian was denied by a timely Ekpiteta block to divert the ball behind.
Cook then came close to levelling before the break, looking to connect with Scarpa’s dangerous free-kick towards the six yard box but the defender couldn’t quite make contact with the ball at full stretch.
Half time: Blackpool 1-0 Nottingham Forest
The Reds started the second half strongly and were almost level on 51 minutes, Dennis again showing quick footwork to create space, this time for a cross, which picked out Surridge but the forward prodded over under pressure from six yards.
Lewis O’Brien was next to come close, Toffolo’s cross finding the midfielder’s run into the penalty area before his left-footed effort on the stretch landed just wide of the far-post. Dennis was then denied by Maxwell as Forest continued to turn the screw.
Ian Poveda created an opportunity for Michael Appleton's outfit as he unleashed a dangerous strike from range which arrowed just over the crossbar.
Having gone close moments earlier, Poveda added his name to the scoresheet to double Blackpool’s lead as the Leeds United loanee converted from close range following a counter-attack.
Cooper responded by bringing on Ryan Yates in place of debutant Fewster and O’Brien made way for Brennan Johnson as Forest looked for a response.
However, it was Blackpool substitute Kenny Dougall who made a difference minutes after coming on, lifting a neat pass to Hamilton inside the area before the winger lashed a low strike past Hennessey into the far corner to make it three.
Williams was forced off with just over ten minutes remaining, with Loic Mbe Soh taking his place for the closing stages.
With four minutes remaining, Blackpool added a fourth as substitute Jerry Yates swept the ball past Hennessey after connecting on the half volley with a cross from the right to put the tie out of sight.
Forest registered a consolation goal during two minutes of stoppage time, Yates heading Toffolo's cross past Maxwell before referee James Linington brought the game to a close to bring our FA Cup campaign to an end.
Full time: Blackpool 4-1 Nottingham Forest
Blackpool: Chris Maxwell, James Husband (Dominic Thompson 90’), Andy Lyons, Marvin Ekpiteta, Jordan Thorniley, Sonny Carey, Charlie Patino (Kenny Dougall 67’), Ian Poveda, CJ Hamilton (Morgan Rogers 78’), Shayne Lavery, Jake Beesley (Jerry Yates 58’)
Substitutes: Daniel Grimshaw, Rhys Williams, Tayt Trust, Jack Moore, Will Squires
Goals: Ekpiteta (18’), Poveda (64’), Hamilton (71’), Yates (86')
Nottingham Forest: Wayne Hennessey, Steve Cook (C), Neco Williams (Loic Mbe Soh 79’), Jack Colback, Lewis O'Brien (Brennan Johnson , Harry Toffolo, Sam Surridge, Emmanuel Dennis, Scott McKenna, Gustavo Scarpa, Billy Fewster (Ryan Yates 65’)
Substitutes: Dean Henderson, Joe Worrall, Orel Mangala, Renan Lodi, Oli Hammond, Esapa Osong
Goals: Yates (90+2')