Nottm Forest v Leicester 07/09/96 3.00Nottm Forest (0) 0 Leicester (0) 0 FT Woeful Nottingham Forest were indebted to a fine display from goalkeeper Mark Crossley for enabling them to escape with a lucky point in the derby clash with Leicester City. Crossley produced three fine saves to keep his side in the hunt - and Leicester will never come closer to ending a run of 24 years without a win at the City Ground. Apart from a spell early in the second half, they were the more purposeful and threatening side throughout and Forest were booed off the pitch by their own supporters at the final whistle. Frank Clark's side, lacking injured leading scorer Kevin Campbell, looked totally disjointed and lacking in ideas and they are still searching for their first home win of the season. Leicester, on the other hand, can look forward with greater optimism to cementing a place in the Premier League than two years ago when they were virtually relegated by Christmas. There is more belief and ability in this side and they have deserved a greater reward than the one point from their two away games this week with leaders Sheffield Wednesday and Forest. Leicester dominated the first half and Forest appeared to be unsettled after losing their England midfielder Steve Stone with a serious-looking knee injury after five minutes. Stone slipped when unchallenged as he prepared to control a crossfield pass and was clearly in considerable pain as he was stretchered off. With Neil Lennon and Scott Taylor, with a haircut similar to Paul Gascoigne, pulling the strings, all the threat in the opening 45 minutes came from Martin O'Neill's side. Leicester skipper and central defender Steve Walsh came within inches of giving his side the lead when his 25 yard shot cannoned back off the inside of a post to safety. Striker Emile Heskey's pace also caused problems and Taylor created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes for the England Under-21 international. His curling pass split open the Forest defence and allowed Heskey to get in behind them but 'keeper Mark Crossley came out to block his chip shot on the edge of the area.Forest struggled to make any impression and were reduced to long range efforts, chiefly from Dean Saunders, which failed to trouble Leicester goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Forest did attempt to stamp their authority on proceedings after the interval and had more possession from midfield. But they still struggled to make any impression on the Leicester defence despite the tireless promptings of Saunders. It was The Foxes who continued to look more menacing and Heskey shot over from close range after substitute Gary Parker had put him clear. Full-back Mike Whitlow then foraged into the area and forced a fingertip save from Crossley. But Crossley reserved his best to last when he somehow managed to turn a powerful close range volley from substitute Ian Marshall over the bar. 
Nottm Forest: Crossley, Pearce, Cooper, Chettle, Bart-Williams, Saunders, Stone (Gemmill, 9), Woan, Silenzi (Lee, 60), Jerkan, Haaland. Subs not used: Phillips, Fettis, Allen. Booked: Cooper, Jerkan. Leicester: Keller, Grayson, Whitlow, Watts, Walsh, Prior, Izzet, Lennon, Taylor (Parker, 72), Claridge (Marshall, 76), Heskey. Subs not used: Poole, Robins, Lawrence. Booked: Whitlow. Attendance: 24,105. Referee: P E Allcock (Surrey). |
