FOOTBALL: Forest fire is put out

FOREST slipped to their first home defeat of the season and had two men sent off in the process - both within an explosive second- half minute at the City Ground.

Forest boss Paul Hart diplomatically chose not to comment about the two sendings off - preferring to view the video before doing so.

He was more concerned with the referee's time-keeping after Forest had conceded the goal from Neil Cox in the second minute of first- half stoppage time - even though the fourth official had indicated that only one extra minute should be played.

Hart fumed: "What's the point in fourth officials having these stupid machines if the referee still goes by his own watch?"

Already seething after Watford had scored from a hotly disputed free-kick, the home fans went berserk as Dave Prutton and Jack Lester were both red-carded, to leave Forest to play the last 15 minutes with nine men.

Prutton walked after a lunge at Allan Nielsen and, with tempers still boiling, Lester followed for an equally wild challenge. To be fair to the referee, he had no alternative.

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