By Jon Ball, at the Deva Stadium, Chester

Debutant Emile Sinclair was the hero as Forest finally overcame a stubborn Chester City side via a penalty shoot-out.
Sinclair, on as an extra time substitute, rattled in the decisive spot kick after the match ended goalless - Forest's second successive 0-0 draw.

Chances were few and far between in a poor first half at the Deva Stadium. Frequent stoppages for innocuous free kicks, coupled with numerous misplaced passes, made for a disjointed first half with neither team able to put together a period of possession.

Forest should have had the lead as early as the sixth minute. Paul Smith's long kick was flicked on by Scott Dobie to leave Grant Holt one-on-one with Chester keeper John Danby. Everyone stopped for an offside flag which never came, but Holt could only shoot straight at the Danby.

Defensively, the visitors were coping with everything Chester had to offer, but were failing to create clear chances themselves.
Paul Smith was called into action after 22 minutes. Dobie was harshly adjudged to have fouled Mark Hughes and Jamie Hand smashed the free-kick through the wall, but straight into the arms of the well-positioned Smith.

Forest did manage a spell of pressure as the second half neared an end, Sammy Clingan shooting over from the edge of the box before Holt made a mess of a header from a Commons cross.

Forest were more positive in the second half, creating several good chances. Danby tipped Holt's powerful header over the crossbar, while Julian Bennett volleyed wide after Commons's free kick was only half cleared.

Forest did have the ball in the net after 83 minutes. Holt pulled the back to debutant Matt Thornhill, at the edge of the box. His low shot looked to be heading into the corner, only to be flicked into the net from a yard out by Junior Agogo - but Agogo was standing in an offside position and the goal was ruled out.

A minute later and Forest had an even better chance to score when they were awarded a penalty. Holt ran onto Commons through ball, but was brought down by Danby as he dribbled round him.Holt took the kick himself, but Danby managed to save with his legs.
Neither team could find a breakthrough in the reminder of normal time, but Forest missed another great chance four minutes into extra time.

Commons played Agogo in who rounded keeper, but saw his shot was cleared off the line by Laurence Wilson.
Chester won the toss and elected to take the first penalty in the shoot-out, which took place in front of the Forest fans in The APC Overnight Stand.

Hand's low shot sent Smith the wrong way to make it 1-0, before Clingan's well-placed effort was too far into the corner for Danby to reach.

Smith then punched Kevin Roberts's penalty away before Agogo found the corner to make it 2-1.
Chester captain Paul Butler scored low into the corner to level, but Commons's effort into the top corner put Forest ahead again.
Simon Yeo then blazed his spot kick over the bar, leaving Sinclair with the chance of glory, which he took with glee to give Forest a 4-2 win on penalties.


Forest: Smith, Chambers, Bennett, Morgan, Wilson, Lennon (capt), Clingan, Bastians (Thornhill 71 mins), Commons, Holt (Sinclair 103 mins), Dobie (Agogo 78 mins).
Subs not used: Roberts, Moloney.
Bookings: Holt (50 mins), Bennett (107 mins)

Chester: Danby, Vaughan, Butler (capt), Linwood, Wilson, Grant (Roberts 98 mins), Hand, Hughes, Lowndes (Holroyd 67 mins), Yeo, Ellison (Rutherford 86 mins).
Subs not used: Ward, Sandwith.
Bookings: Lowndes (58 mins), Linwood (108 mins).

Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Attendance: 2,720 (475 visitors).