Millwall head for sun after robbing paupers

Nottingham Forest 1 Millwall

The purse strings are so tight at debt-ridden Nottingham Forest that the City Ground legend Brian Clough gave the current manager Paul Hart £100 of his own money on local television in an attempt to kick start a transfer budget for his former pupil. It may have been offered tongue-in-cheek but you could forgive Hart for failing to raise a smile.

Having allowed three players through the exit doors this week, including the £5m teenager Jermaine Jenas and 14-goal top scorer Stern John, Hart is facing the mammoth task of building a side capable of challenging for promotion without the resources of an open wallet.

On this evidence, Forest will be glad to have amassed 43 points already this term, as promotion-chasing Millwall, without a win in four matches prior to their visit to the east Midlands, withstood late pressure and profligate Forest finishing to plunder two goals before the break on their way to a dour victory.

Hart, to his credit, remained upbeat about Forest's future despite pointing the finger at his defence after they were found wanting for both Millwall goals. "We defended very poorly for both goals and my players have to learn that they must defend from whistle to whistle," he said. "We also failed to convert our chances and paid the price."

Forest should have taken the lead after 26 seconds by the free-transfer signing Gary Jones, given his chance following the exodus, but he headed wide from Jim Brennan's left-wing cross.

The quick-fire start stung Mark McGhee's side into action as Paul Ifill toe-poked the opener in the seventh minute after Richard Sadlier, celebrating his first Republic of Ireland international call-up, had turned Riccardo Scimeca and fed the striker inside the box. Forest were guilty of missing more early chances as winger Andy Reid, Jones and the chief culprit, Marlon Harewood, all failed to beat an inspired Tony Warner in goal.

A curling free-kick from Ifill three minutes before the interval was headed in by the Australian Tim Cahill as the visitors doubled the advantage.

A penalty by Harewood four minutes from time after Sean Dyche handled Brian Cash's stinging shot only proved to be a consolation as Millwall held out.

"It's a massive rebuilding job and the fact that we've given everybody hope is testament to the players," Hart said. "The sale of Jenas has helped us become solvent for the rest of the season and possibly into the next and I have great faith with the success of our academy system."

His opposite number, McGhee, was happy to leave with all three points as his side now prepare for a mid-season break in Spain. "We are tired and getting results at places like this is needed if you want to stay up there. We didn't dare hope for third place at the start of the season and with such a young side there is still more improvement to come," he said.