Pools were on the wrong end of two controverisal refereering decisions as their second-ever visit to the City Ground ended with the same result as their first.

Michael Nelson was red-carded for an off-the-ball tussle with Jack Lester with Pools one down, and then Darren Williams was adjudged guilty of a foul inside the area which allowed the hosts to make the points safe.

Despite a quite tight opening half in which neither team really created many clear chances, it was the Pools' keeper who was tested most.

Dimi Konstantopoulos, as he has so often this season, came to the rescue early on in the game when he threw himself bravely at a loose ball despite the arriving challenge of lively striker Gareth Taylor.

And, despite coming out of the challenge second best, Dimi held on to the ball as Pools battled hard to create chances of their own.

Young midfielder Stephen Turnbull, making his second League start for Pools, looked confident in the heart of the action and showed just how assured he is by firing a shot from distance towards goal.

Although the shot edged wide of Russell Hoult's right hand post, the shot proved to be one of Pools' closest efforts on target in the opening forty-five as both sides continued to battle away in midfield, with James Perch strong in the centre for the home side.

Nottingham Forest stepped up their pressure as the half drew on and, with Jack Lester seeing his curled effort swing just wide of the far post, Pools were pushed hard in defence, with Michael Nelson putting in a commanding display.

However, the home side's pressure paid off just minutes later when a ball in from the left by David Friio evaded the Pools' defence and found TAYLOR in the right place to tap the ball past the outstretched Konstantopoulos from close range.

Pools did go close to an equaliser late in the half when good play between Turnbull, Daly and Sweeney saw the big striker get past his man to fire a low shot at goal but the striker caused Hoult few problems.

With a one-goal advantage, the hosts started the second half brightly, and Konstantopoulos was called into action early after the re-start. The impressive Kris Commons went on a surging run down the left hand side and, after beating his man fired a searching ball into the box, only for Dimi to once again get down and block under pressure from Taylor.

The main talking point of the game happened just minutes later when Lester went down off the ball and, after consultation with his Assistant, referee Mr Boyeson showed the red card to Michael Nelson, despite the protests of his Pools' teammates.

Martin Scott reacted by introducing the lively Thomas Butler to the action and the midfielder caused some early problems down the left, sending some searching balls into the area.

And it was the Irishman who played a part in Pools' best chance at goal when he found Ritchie Humphreys with a great ball, which the former Sheffield Wednesday man powered across the face of goal, only for the in-rushing Eifion Williams to just miss out on at the far post.

With a more determined Pools side searching for an equaliser, Antony Sweeney went close when he latched onto a long clearance by Konstantopoulos but Hoult did well to hold the effort.

As ten-man Pools dealt with increasing pressure from the home side, Friio firing over from close range and substitute David Johnson causing problems up front, referee My Boyeson made some slightly questionable decisions. And it came as no real surprise when Johnson went down under limited pressure from Darren Williams that the Official pointed to the spot.

Fellow substitute Eugen BOPP made no mistake with his spot kick as Nottingham Forest ran out 2-0 winners and Pools were left feeling slightly disappointed with the manner of the defeat.

Att: 17, 586 (1, 194 Pools)

Nottingham Forest: Hoult, Eaden, Morgan, Breckin, Southall (Bopp), Commons, Taylor, Friio, Lester (Johnson), Perch, Thompson

Subs: Gerrard, Gardner, Dadi

Pools: Konstantopoulos, D Williams, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Proctor (E Williams 46), Sweeney, S Turnbull (Tinkler), Llewellyn (Butler), Bullock, Daly

Subs: Provett, Jones