Pools lost out 2-1 at The City Ground this afternoon as Nottingham Forest took all three points from what was a lively clash.

Forest took advantage of a slow start by Wilson's men but a Richard Barker equaliser in the closing minutes of the first period signalled the start of an improved performance.

But a hard-working second-half display proved not to be enough for Pools as Junior Agogo fired a late winner.

The game didn't start well for Danny Wilson's men at The City Ground as a good spell of early pressure from Forest saw Kris Commons poke the opener home just after the ten-minute mark.

With Sammy Clingan looking lively through the middle and Commons himself proving difficult for the Pools' back line, the opening goal did not come as a total surprise.

A scramble inside the area, with Nathan Tyson and Junior Agogo pressing the defence right back saw Commons just nip in behind Michael Nelson to nod home past Budtz and into the top left hand corner of the net.

Pools enjoyed a respite in the early pressure with a James Brown run and a Ritchie Humphreys long throw from the left, which found Nelson rising in the box. The big defender flicked on well for Ian Moore but his flicked effort went just wide of the near post.

The same trio combined again later in the half when a Humphreys left-wing corner found Nelson in the box and his powerful header was flicked on towards goal by Moore - this time though it was Paul Smith who came out on top, holding the effort comfortably.

But the hosts were in menacing mood and looked dangerous with every attack; Humphreys was forced to clear a dangerous ball from Clingan and Godwin Antwi did well to intercept a Commons ball into the area.

Chris Cohen tried his luck with a cheeky half-volley from distance but the ball went wide of Budtz's right-hand post as Wilson's men were forced to dig deep.

And then, with just over five minutes remaining in the first period, a great pin-point ball in from former Forest man Ian Moore from the right flank found Richard Barker in the area and the big striker did well to get up highest and power a header firmly into the back of the net, drawing the sides level.

Pools weren't given time to rest after the goal though as the hosts pushed straight back down the other end and Junior Agogo tested Jan Budtz with a fierce shot from distance but the Pools' stopper reacted well to block the effort from danger and Willie Boland cleared back upfield.

The final few minutes of the first half were more end-to-end, with both sides keen not to concede again before the break. And Pools had the perfect opportunity to make it 2-1 just before the whistle. A great run by James Brown created an opening in the Forest defence and with Gary Liddle surging into the box, Brown fed through for the midfielder.

With Liddle in the perfect position to slot home, he mis-kicked his effort and Paul Smith was able to block with his feet into the path of Moore, who saw his rebound shot carried wide of the target.

At the other end of the pitch, Agogo once again tested Budtz, this time with a glancing header but fortunately it was the Pools keeper, who was in confident mood this afternoon, who came out on top.

With the tempo of the game at its peak, the half-time whistle was met with groans from supporters as Pools looked to have found their stride as the closing minutes arrived.

With the first action of the second period, Michael Nelson threw himself at a Tyson ball into the box to put it wide for a corner kick and debutant Danny Coles, who looked steady throughout the game, headed the resulting kick out of the danger area.

With Forest boss Colin Calderwood having labelled Pools the best side he had seen so far this season, Wilson's men showed glimpses of just what they are capable of in the second half, making Forest work much harder in defence.

Jan Budtz continued his strong performance in goal when he rose well to stop an impressive Chris Cohen ball into the box from reaching the head of Tyson.

It was a hard-working second-display from Pools as they worked hard to close down every Forest move while also looking to create chances at the other end.

As Pools looked to grab the lead, Ian Moore picked up a loose ball just over the half-way line and powered his way past three defenders before firing a pacy shot at goal from the edge of the area only to see his effort tipped wide by Smith, who got down well to block.

Budtz once again came to the rescue as he tipped a searching cross-come-shot from Clingan from dipping just under the post and just minutes later Luke Chambers looked set to give Forest the lead. A ball in from the left found the defender in space inside the area and, just as he looked set to head the ball home, his effort edged just wide of the near post.

And then the second goal did come for Forest as good play from Commons once again saw him weave his way into the box before firing a low shot at goal. Budtz reacted brilliantly to save the shot, blocking it down to his right but as the big keeper got up to recover, it was Junior Agogo who reacted quickest of the outfield players to slot home, striking a cruel blow for the Pools' keeper and for Wilson's men.

Pools have a break from the League this week, with a Tuesday night trip to Lincoln City in Johnstones Paint Trophy action and the Danny Wilson's men will be looking to get back to winning ways at Friday night at The Vic against Bristol Rovers.

Pools: Budtz, Coles (McCunnie 77), Nelson, Antwi, Humphreys, Brown (Foley 81), Liddle, Boland, Monkhouse (Porter 86), Barker, Moore

Subs: Clark, Robson

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Wilson, Chambers, Morgan, Commons, Tyson (Holt 64), Cohen, Clingan, Lennon, Agogo, Bennett

Subs: Breckin, Perch, Sinclair, Roberts