Forest returned to Billingham seven days after the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch to play Hartlepool in the semi final of the Pontins League Trophy.

Ian Butterworth's Hartlepool side had the first real chance on 11 minutes when Michael Rae's shot was saved by Dale Roberts and from the resulting corner Ben Clark saw a close range shot blocked.

The Reds started to come into the game and on 27minutes Emile Sinclair was put through by Matt Thornhill who pulled back to Alan Power; the resultant shot was saved at the far post by Jan Buttz in the Hartlepool goal.

Two minutes later Mark Byrne put Sinclair through again and this time it was Thornhill who shot narrowly wide.

A breakthrough came on 37minutes when Sinclair was fouled, with Felix Bastians taking the free kick and Thornhill steering the ball in at the far post.

Forest should have gone further ahead 5 minutes before half time when Sinclair beat Ben Clark, but Thornhill's shot was blocked on the line by Joe Tait.

The second half started with Hartlepool pushing forward for an equaliser but, with both sides having chances, it was Forest who went further ahead when Thornhill put in a beautiful cross which was headed in at the far post by Mark Byrne on 70minutes.

Ten minutes later Hartlepool pulled one back when Matty Tymon put the ball through to Ben Clark to rifle in from 10yards.

With time running out the tireless Sinclair beat Joe Tait to put the ball across to Bastians to slam the ball home on 89minutes.

Forest now play Manchester City in the final after they beat Morcambe 2-1, the date is still to be arranged.

Forest: Roberts, Tait(Reid 89min), Moloney, Power, Mitchell, Sharpe, McGleary(Fairclough 61min), Thornhill, Sinclair(Newbold, 89min), Byrne, Bastians
Subs:  Redmond, Kavanagh
Bookings: Power 14min,
Scorers: Thornhill 37min, Byrne 70min, Bastians 89min

Hartlepool: Buttz,, McCunnie, Haigh, Clark, Tait, Turnbull, Foley(Mackay 45minHT), Young, Tymon, Rae, Robson
Subs: Ellison, McRoberts, Ruddy,  Allison
Scorer: Clark 80min

Referee: David Webb