THE first match of Burton Albion's Sky Bet Championship season was an entertaining one, despite the end result for the Brewers although they didn't go down without a fight.
The Brewers looked comfortable during the opening exchanges at the City Ground and the home team were dealt a blow after 20 minutes as goalkeeper Dorius De Vries landed awkwardly on his ankle, he was taken off on a stretcher to be replaced by Stephen Henderson.GOAL: That change in goal seemed to be a lucky oman for the home side as they took the lead just three minutes later. Grant got a shot off inside the box after an offside appeal which seemed to be going wide before Assombalonga slid in at the back to guide the ball home (1-0).
GOAL: Before the home side could settle back down it was BURTON ALBION who equalised through Lucas Akins. A deep Albion corner was drilled back in my Mousinho for Akins who made sure it went over the line (1-2).
GOAL: And before the fans could settle down it was BURTON ALBION who took the lead at the City Ground just three minutes after the equaliser. A deflected clearance fell into the path of O'Grady who held the ball up well before playing it into the path of Dyer who finished brilliantly into the far corner (1-2).
GOAL: The first half provided nothing but goals, four were scored before the half time whistle with Forest grabbing an equaliser through Lam. He picked up a short corner before unleashing a powerful shot which beat McLaughlin at the near post (2-2).
The teams went in level after both playing well in the first half, the Brewers didn't look out of their comfort zones but Nottingham Forest's Championship experience was enough to ensure they didn't go into the break behind.
HT: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Burton Albion
The home side made a change at the break as new signing Kasami replaced Grant.
GOAL: Nottingham Forest took the lead just four minutes into the second half as Bruke volleyed past McLaughlin. A free kick on the edge of the box was well blocked by the Albion wall, the follow-up shot was looped high into the air which Burke put his foot through and the ball found the back of the net (3-2).
Striker Chris O'Grady was facing his former club at the City Ground after spending time on loan from Brighton last season. He saw a low shot blocked by the defender in the box after a mad scramble in which Forest were lucky to stay in front.
The Brighton-loanee had an identical opportunity minutes later, but again he saw his shot blocked by Mills for the second time in as many minutes.
Lee Williamson, who had been impressive all afternoon, was replaced by Tom Naylor just after the hour mark in a like-for-like swap. Stuart Beavon was introduced with just under 20 minutes to go as he replaced Chris O'Grady.
GOAL: The home side added a fourth goal through Britt Assombalonga who nodded the ball into the back of the net after Pereira's cross from the right was deflected up in the air (4-2).
Tom Flanagan was replaced by Damien McCrory just just under ten minutes to go, Lloyd Dyer switched to the right wing-back position whilst McCrory played the left wing-back role.
GOAL: Burton Albion pulled a third goal back late in the second half as Hamza delivered a great ball into the box for Naylor who glanced a header past Henderson in the forest goal (4-3).
It wasn't Albion's day, a very late free kick by Palmer was met by the head of Turner which crept just millimeters wide of the far post.
FT: Nottingham Forest 4-3 Burton Albion
Attendance: 23,012 (1,652 away)
Ash's man of the match: Lucas Akins