Nottingham Forest’s winning run came to an end in dismal fashion as they were beaten 2-1 by Cardiff City.
It was a poor performance by Steve Cooper’s side, with Keinan Davis’ late header nothing more than a consolation for the long trip back from South Wales.
The visitors went into the game knowing three points would see them into the top six for the first time this season.
But they were well off the pace in a first half where they barely threatened and struggled to get into the game.
Slow and sloppy, the Reds lacked any kind of intensity - and they made it far too comfortable for their opponents in the opening 45 minutes.
They were left facing an uphill battle after falling behind with just six minutes on the clock.
An uncharacteristically poor pass from Scott McKenna gifted possession to Cardiff, with Perry Ng playing in Jordan Hugill. The front man raced forward and coolly slotted beyond Brice Samba to give the Bluebirds the lead.
It could have been worse for Forest at the break, too. Max Lowe made a good interception and then a strong block to thwart one attack, before Joe Ralls blasted a volley off target just past the half hour.
Samba was then called into action a few minutes later, getting down to smother a close-range shot from Hugill, following Tommy Doyle’s cross.
At the opposite end, it was a quiet first half for Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
Jack Colback latched on to a Djed Spence cross in the 17th minute and argued his strike was deflected behind, but nothing was given.
A Brennan Johnson run and cross caused problems in the 27th minute. However, there was nobody there to make the most of his ball into the area, and that was about as good as it got for the Reds before the interval.
They started the second half better, with Ryan Yates and Spence rolling balls across the face of goal which went unconverted.
And Johnson was inches away from connecting with James Garner’s low ball as he slid in in the 56th minute.
Not making the most of those opportunities came back to haunt Forest as they fell further behind 10 minutes later.
Ralls’ fierce strike crashed off the woodwork and bounced off Samba into the path of Isaak Davies, who slotted in from close range with the Reds defence left stationary.
Cooper’s men never really looked like getting back into the game after that, although substitute Xande Silva spurned a good opportunity to pull one back in the final 10 minutes.
The visitors ended the game with 10 men as Lewis Grabban was helped off the pitch, having been clattered into by Will Vaulks, wth Forest having used up all their substitutes.
Keinan Davis did manage to reduce the deficit when he headed home a corner in added time but it was too little, too late.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Brice Samba: Two terrible goals to concede - not that he was helped by those in front of him. Nervy at times and not always up to his usual standard with his distribution. Rating: 4/10
Djed Spence: Got forward well and had some promising moments where he linked up with Brennan Johnson in the second half. Didn’t happen often enough, though. Rating: 5/10
Steve Cook: Below par performance from the whole back line, particularly with the goals conceded. Caught in two minds for the first, then, like his teammates, stood and watched as the second went in. Rating: 4/10
Scott McKenna: Not his usual self at all. Made a very rare error which proved costly in the first half, then got a back-pass all wrong after the break. First time the defender has had a poor game in a Forest shirt. Rating: 4/10
Max Lowe: Made a big tackle and an important block in the first half. Forest needed him to get on the ball and push forward more, though. Rating: 5.5/10
Jack Colback: Plenty of effort, but the midfield never really got a handle on their opponents in the first half. At least chipped in with an effort at goal. Rating: 5/10
Ryan Yates: Not the only Reds player who wasn’t at his best. Created a decent opening after the break with a ball across the face of goal. Had a tough time against a physical Cardiff side, though. Rating: 5/10
Brennan Johnson: Looked the most likely to create something for the visitors and did have Cardiff on the back foot with some trademark runs. Just couldn’t make them count. Rating: 5/10
James Garner: Improved in the second half when Forest had a better spell. Was one to forget all round, however, as the visitors were well off the pace. Rating: 5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: A frustrating afternoon where he struggled to make any kind of impact. Made a good run in the first half but let the moment pass him by and it came to nothing. Rating: 4/10
Lewis Grabban: A real concern to see him helped off the pitch and head straight down the tunnel after being injured in a challenge. Forest must hope it is nothing serious. Rating: 5/10
Substitutes
Keinan Davis (for Zinckernagel, 59mins): A strong header to net his second goal for the club. Shame it didn’t count for anything. Rating: 5.5/10
Xande Silva (for Colback, 68mins): Had a good chance to pull one back but fluffed his lines when through on goal. Still, looked bright. Rating: 5/10
Cafu (for Cook, 80mins): Couldn’t really make an impact, with the game already lost by the time he came on. Rating: 5/10
Not used: Horvath, Figueiredo, Bong, Hammond.
