WE drove down to the Phoenix Park and Ride terminus, just off the A610 to get the Nottingham’s brand spanking new tram system into the centre and a short walk to the City ground, passing Meadow Lane and Trent Bridge on the way, writes Alan Houghton of Bradshaw.

We landed lucky for lunch at the Miller’s Barn pub restaurant, which is a Beefeater with not much beef on the menu at the moment because of a nagging problem.

Despite this, the chicken breast and a rack of pork ribs was most acceptable, especially as it came with spicy “bottomless” chips. This was an offer of free refills of chips, like they do with the soft drinks. Well, don’t tell my personal trainer daughter, Katrina, but we rose magnificently to the challenge, sufficient for the chef to admit I was his first!

I told the barmaid that if they offered free refills on the beer, I would recommend them for restaurant of the year. Sadly, they didn’t but the couple of pints of Marston’s Pedigree went down very well.  On to the tram and a friendly Notts County tram conductor gave us the final instructions for City Ground before wishing us well and hoping we’d stuff Forest 4-1 for him.

As it was Billy Davies’s homecoming, it was never going to be easy as Notts forest were bound to get a lift.

Dougie sprung a couple of surprises by leaving out Eagles and Sordell and bringing in a couple of our own Davies, Mark and Super Kev to start the match. The first half was a game of attack and defence, Forest were the attack and we were the defence.

The defence coped reasonably well and when they didn’t Bogdan was there to save the day, making 5 or 6 good saves.

The second half started better for Bolton as Dougie must have told them it was a proper match and explained to Mark Davies that he was allowed to get involved.

We had a couple of half chances before Andy Reid scored for Forest with a superb volley from a knock down at the edge of the box, giving Bogdan no chance.

Super Kev had a great chance to equalize as he was put through one-on-one with the goalie from an awful back pass but it wasn’t his day as the goalie smothered it at his feet.

This prompted the substitutions with Chris Eagles being cheered onto the pitch to replace De Ridder.

Craig Davies and Ngog followed replacing Chungy and Super Kev. Suddenly we had a bit more up front and looked to be in with a chance.

A good run out wide from Ngog saw him square the ball to the edge of the box, where Craig Davies steered it in for the equaliser.

At this point, I thought we might go on and win it but then Alonso played into the referee’s hands and got himself sent off for a second yellow card.

The Forest players should be ashamed of themselves for the way they badgered the ref for what was a minor tumble of players.

So, the last 10 minutes was a backs to the wall re-enactment of the Alamo. Gritty defending, sound goalkeeping from Bogdan and some woeful finishing from Forest saw us home for a welcome point, despite the referee attempting to play until Forest scored.

Where he got five extra minutes from I don’t know and then he played seven! It wasn’t our best performance as we gave the ball away far too much but we dug in and got a result.