Nottingham Forest moved to within a point of the Championship playoff places on Monday with a 2-0 win at Leeds United.
Matt Derbyshire opened the scoring for the visitors with just 90 seconds on the clock before doubling their advantage in the 16th minute.
Leeds pushed hard to get back in the match after the break, but Forest were able to hold on for the three points.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Elland Road.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's Championship encounter between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. We will have the teams with you shortly...
LEEDS: Butland; Lees, Pearce, Wootton, Warnock; Tonge, Brown, Austin, Murphy; McCormack, Hunt
LEEDS SUBS: Cairns, Smith, Poleon, Stewart, White, Mowatt, Pugh
Leeds boss Brian McDermott has made two changes to his starting lineup following Saturday's 1-0 win at Barnsley as Rodolph Austin and Noel Hunt are brought in to replace Matt Smith and Marius Zaliukas.
FOREST: De Vries; Halford, Lascelles, Collins, Harding; Vaughan, Paterson, Mackie, McLaughlin, Osborn; Derbyshire
FOREST SUBS: Evtimov, Greening, Jara, Majewski, Abdoun, Tudgay, Henderson
Forest caretaker manager Gary Brazil opts to make three changes after seeing his side beat Birmingham City 1-0 two days ago. Dorus De Vries and Dan Harding return to the side, while Stephen McLaughlin is handed his full debut for the club.
With today's nine other games in the Championship currently coming to an end, the most significant results from a Nottingham Forest perspective are Brighton's 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool and Ipswich's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Gary Brazil's side now know that they can move to within a point of the playoffs if they win this evening.
A big congratulations must also go to Burnley, who have secured their promotion to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Wigan. Well done to everyone at Turf Moor! The Clarets have been in blistering form this season and fully deserve their place in the top flight.
Recent form:
LEEDS: LLLLWW
FOREST: LDLDLW
You can take a look at the current Championship table right here. While Forest are fighting for promotion, the best that Leeds can hope for is a top-half finish. They are currently in 16th place, but victory tonight would see them climb up to 14th spot.
Congratulations to @stephenmac15 on making his full #NFFC debut against Leeds today. pic.twitter.com/sEWhmo0SIR
— Nottingham Forest FC (@Official_NFFC) April 21, 2014
It was Forest who came out on top when these teams met at the City Ground back in December, winning 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Matt Derbyshire. That match provided plenty of drama for the fans, and we're hoping for more of the same tonight.
Here come the teams!
KICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Forest to kick is us off at Elland Road. Here we go!
GOAL! LEEDS 0-1 FOREST (DERBYSHIRE)
Forest lead after just 90 seconds as Derbyshire slots the ball confidently past Butland, though that was all about McLaughlin. The debutant broke free from midfield before playing a wonderfully incisive pass to his teammate, who finished with aplomb. What a start for the visitors!
That early goal has certainly settle any nerves that Forest may have had. The away side look far more comfortable at the moment, while Leeds are just trying to get a hold in this match. As you might imagine, the Forest fans are in fine voice following that goal.
Leeds are finding it hard to get into any sort of rhythm at the moment as Forest chase around for possession. The visitors have come flying out of the blocks. Their latest attack sees Derbyshire set free down the right, but his cross is well held by Butland.
CHANCE! Almost a second goal for Forest as Mackie's powerful cross is met by Osborn, though the forward can only direct his header straight at Butland. The Forest man had acres of space in the penalty area there.
There's still little to shout about from a Leeds perspective as they continue to struggle to get in behind the Forest defence. McCormack has hardly had a sniff so far for the hosts. Tonge has a crack at goal from long range, though it's a poor effort that goes well wide.
GOAL! LEEDS 0-2 FOREST (DERBYSHIRE)
Forest now lead 2-0 as Derbyshire shows plenty of composure again to find the net! Wooton's poor clearance was charged down by the Forest forward before he calmly rounded Butland to slide the ball into an empty net. Expert finishing from Derbyshire.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes the way of Leeds defender Lees after a foul on Mackie. The hosts are really struggling to contain Forest right now. The visitors are looking rampant.
There's very little cheer in the stands at Elland Road at the moment, and who could blame the home fans? Their side has performed woefully so far. It's very hard to see them getting a goal at this rate. While Forest are full of energy and ambition, the hosts are looking very unorganised.
Something of a half-chance for Leeds there as McCormack finds himself a bit of space inside the Forest box, but his effort is well blocked by Halford. The hosts are finding it incredibly difficult to break down Forest right now. The visitors are defending superbly when they need to.
This is a better spell from Leeds. The home side are starting to show a bit more dynamism and adventure after spending much of the first half on the ropes. Murphy tries to thread a ball through to Hunt, but the striker narrowly fails to get on the end of it.
Leeds are continuing to see much more of the ball, but there's little to show for it up front. Their main tactic at the moment is to lump it into the Forest box where the visiting defence is able to clear with ease.
A decent opening for Forest sees McLaughlin try his luck from about 25 yards, only for Butland to make a comfortable save. The debutant has been impressive for the visitors so far.
A bit of a worry for Forest here as Paterson and Derbyshire collide after a slip, though it's the former who looks to be in some difficulty. Both men stay down for a while before they get to their feet, ready to continue.
CHANCE! Nearly a goal for Leeds as De Vries and Halford hesitate inside the penalty area, but Hunt just can't get in between them to prod home. Could that give the hosts some hope? They have a bit more of a bounce about them now.
CHANCE! Close again for Leeds! The hosts win a free kick about 25 yards from goal after Mackie is booked for a deliberate handball. McCormack steps up to take it, but the Scot can only fire inches wide with De Vries well beaten.
Leeds might be a bit disappointed to see the first half come to an end because they've been on top for the past 10 minutes or so. They're still looking pretty shaky at the back, though they've improved up front. McCormack in particular has come to life as we head towards the break.
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of the first half...
A goal for Leeds now could change the whole complexion of the game. They're certainly pushing hard for it. Forst still standing firm though.
HALF TIME: LEEDS 0-2 FOREST
The boos ring around Elland Road as a disappointing first half for Leeds comes to a close. Forest currently lead 2-0 thanks to two goals from Matt Derbyshire. His first came after just 90 seconds before doubling his tally on 16 minutes.
While Forest have been full of energy and enthusiasm, Leeds have looked sluggish and lacking in ideas. The hosts improved towards the end of the half, but they are going to need to be much better if they want to salvage anything from this game. A third goal for Forest would surely mean game over.
Looking back at Derbyshire's two goals, the Forest man took them both brilliantly. His first was a calm finish following a sumptuous pass from McLaughlin, while his second saw him show the same type of composure to round Butland and slot into an empty net.
For the record, Forest will be moving to within a point of the playoffs if they win this evening. Their promotion hopes looked to be dead and buried a few weeks ago, but draws for Brighton and Ipswich earlier today have put them right back in the mix. You can view the table as it stands here.
As for Leeds, Brian McDermott's side will slip down to 16th place in the standings if they fail to win. This would also be United's ninth defeat in 12 games.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, and it will be Leeds to kick us off. No changes from either manager during the break.
It's been a bright start to the second period for Leeds. They're getting plenty of bodies forward, but the delivery from the flanks has been below par. The hosts' best chance during a spell of early pressure sees Austin's stinging drive blocked by the visiting defence.
Leeds continue to dictate the tempo of this match, pushing forward with intent. They almost find the net thanks to a slice of luck as Austin's shot deflects off the unsuspecting Hunt, but De Vries eventually gathers the ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Forest make their first change now as Vaughan is withdrawn for the experienced Greening.
SAVE! What a fine stop from De Vries to keep Forest's two-goal lead intact. McCormack tries his luck again from a free kick, this time trying to bend it to the goalkeeper's right side. The ball looks to be going in, but the shotstopper gets across to claw it away.
You get the feeling that Leeds have to make this spell of pressure count. They're all over Forest at the moment, though they have nothing to show for it. Meanwhile, the visitors are being limited to the occasional counter-attack.
CHANCE! Leeds go close again as McCormack gets on the end of a knockdown before blazing over. To be fair to the striker, that was a difficult opportunity. Leeds also make a change, with Smith replacing Hunt.
A bit of concern for Leeds as Smith falls very awkwardly indeed after challenging for a high ball. The substitute stayed down after that, though it looks as though he's going to be okay.
Smith has certainly ruffled a few feather since he's been on. Following that nasty fall, he gets involved in a Leeds attack before shooting wide with a powerful volley. The Forest defence can expect to see a lot more of him during the final 20-odd minutes of this match.
Just over 20 minutes left to play at Elland Road, and Leeds continue to as all of the questions. It's been a remarkable turnaround from a Forest perspective as the visitors have hardly offered any sort of attacking threat in this second half. They were dominant during the opening 45 minutes, but not it seems as if they're content to defend their lead and strike on the counter-attack.
SUBSTITUTION: Leeds are forced to make a couple of changes now as Warnock, who suffered a knock earlier in the match, is replaced by Pugh. Tonge also hobbles off to be replaced by Mowatt.
We've had one or two stoppages during the past few minutes, meaning that the injury time at the end of the game could be chunky. However, normal time is running out for Leeds as they look to make the breakthrough and get back into this match.
OFF THE BAR! Leeds nearly find the net in fortunate circumstances as Pugh's cross from the left ends up clipping the crossbar. Forest really have their backs to the wall at the moment, with the hosts piling on the pressure.
SUBSITUTION: A significant change for Forest here as goalkeeper De Vries is forced off through injury. On in his place is the Bulgarian Under-21 international Evtimov, who is making his debut.
SUBSITUTION: Forest's final change sees Jara enter the action in place of Paterson. Forest have nine minutes plus stoppage time to hold onto their lead. They can expect a bombardment from Leeds as we head towards the final whistle.
Forest are trying desperately to run the clock down whenever they're in possession now, while Leeds are chasing hard in the vain hope that they can get something out of this match.
Good awareness from the substitute goalkeeper Evtimov there as he comes off his line to collect the ball with McCormack lurking in attendance. The Scot has been Leeds' best player this afternoon, though he's had to do most of the work himself.
There will be FIVE MINUTES of added time. Can Leeds grab a consolation?...
The referee stops play briefly to have a word with Mackie and Pugh, who squared up to each other for a moment following a bit of a tussle for the ball.
SAVE! That's a good stop from Evtimov. A cross from the left was headed towards goal by Smith, but the Bulgarian was able to show great reflexes to palm the ball away.
FULL TIME: LEEDS 0-2 FOREST
Forest keep their playoff hopes on track thanks to a 2-0 win over Leeds. The visitors made the most of their dominance in the first half by scoring two goals through Matt Derbyshire, while Leeds pushed hard to get back into the match during the second half. However, Forest were able to hold on for the victory. They are now just one point off sixth-placed Brighton.
That's all from our live text coverage of this evening's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the post-match reaction right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon.
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
