Half-Time Report: Djamel Abdoun penalty gives Nottingham Forest lead

Nottingham Forest lead West Ham United 1-0 at half time in this afternoon's FA Cup third-round clash.

Jamie Paterson almost broke away for the home side on six minutes, but the West Ham defence recovered well to deny him the chance.

Stewart Downing tested the Forest defence on 10 minutes with a teasing cross, but the Championship side stood firm and cleared well.

Forest then had the chance to take the lead two minutes later when the referee awarded them a penalty after George Moncur had tripped Paterson in the area.

Djamel Abdoun stepped up and cheekily chipped the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Billy Davies's side.

Ravel Morrison came close with a free kick on 24 minutes, but the goalkeeper did well to tip the ball over the bar.

Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles came close to making it 2-0 on 32 minutes, but his 30-yard strike was kept out by Adrian.

After some patient passing play, Forest came close again when Abdoun's cross found Greg Halford, but his header was too close to the goalkeeper.

Eric Lichaj just had the goalkeeper to beat on 42 minutes, but the defender could only hit it at the shot-stopper as the home side continued to put pressure on the Premier League side.