Report
Yeading won the first of these two back-to-back fixtures, but a dogged rearguard performance by The Stags meant they were always in with a chance of a point at The Warren.
Forest started well stringing some good moves together, with Warren Ryan having a shot saved in the first 5 minutes. Yeading showed why they are championship contenders and pegged Forest back, but a quick counter attack saw a through ball from “Sos” Guei find Declan Perkins just off-side.
For the hosts DJ Campbell was causing problems. A shot rebounded from the bar, and on 13 minutes DJ scored the opening goal. Forest conceded a free kick on half way and the ball was played to Bobby Behzadi who laid the ball off to Campbell to score.
Soon after another Yeading attack saw the ball fade wide of the goal, while Forest were struggling to get in the final third when they attacked. Another attack down the left saw Danny Jordan fouled by Ian Barnes who received a yellow card. Gavin King saved well and his clearance reached John Morgan who fired just over.
On 20 minutes a long ball by Barnes found Dewayne Clarke who shot on the turn to beat Delroy Preddie for The Stags’ equaliser. For a few minutes Forest looked they might get in front. Perkins lost his footing after a close link up with Clarke had worked the ball into the area, and soon after Barnes and Clarke provided an opportunity which Perkins fired just wide.
For the latter part of the first half Yeading went on the attack, but the visitors’ defence held out well with Wayne Brown, Paul Salmon and Chris Cashman defending well. Behzadi had a good effort saved by King, while at the other end Clarke headed over from a Morgan corner.
On the stroke of half-time Campbell outpaced Brown in the box, and the Forest skipper conceded a penalty with a late tackle. Nevin Saroya slotted the spot kick home.
Immediately after the break Perkins found Clarke on the edge of the box, but Preddie smothered the ball as he shaped to shoot. From then on Yeading dominated play, but the Forest defence held firm. Campbell and Errol Telemaque both went close to increasing Yeading’s lead, but King was in fine form on the few occasions the back 4 were pierced.