Forest penalise Yeovil

Two penalties gave Nottingham Forest a vital advantage to take into the League One play-off semi-final second leg at the City Ground against Yeovil next week.

Spot-kicks from Kris Commons and James Perch were the difference between the two sides at Huish Park as the Glovers could not make their second-half dominance tell.

Commons sent Steve Mildenhall the wrong way after 23 minutes when stand-in captain Nathan Jones fouled Perch in the area.

Perch himself coolly converted his effort in the 90th minute after Terrell Forbes had rashly brought down Jack Lester.

The hosts had the first chance after six minutes when pacy forward Arron Davies broke through but visiting keeper Paul Smith saved smartly with his right foot. Veteran striker Marcus Stewart again tested Smith after a quarter of an hour with a curling shot but he made a comfortable save.

Five minutes later Lewis McGugan had Forest's first opportunity, but shot over from 20 yards.

The visitors took the lead shortly after when Luke Chambers played a through-ball to Perch who was bundled over by Jones. Commons calmly passed the ball into the bottom right corner from the spot.

The visitors enjoyed the better chances as Scott Dobie broke through his own half and shot just wide from the edge of the area. The Glovers were almost back on level terms immediately but Wayne Gray's header from Stewart's cross went agonisingly past the upright.

The chance marked a shift in the balance of power as the home side laid siege to Forest's goal. Smith was outstanding to deny Gray's header and then minutes later the forward's close-range shot.

Stewart then headed Anthony Barry's cross against the left post from six yards but an equaliser eluded the hosts. Yeovil were dealt a cruel blow late on when Lester burst into the box and Forbes dived in. With Commons substituted, Perch sent Mildenhall the wrong way for a second time.