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Nottm Forest V West Ham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Cox: Hammers a good test for us

Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox is relishing the prospect of a taste of the top flight against West Ham in the FA Cup.


Forest will face Premier League opposition in a competitive match for the first time in almost 18 months when Sam Allardyce's team arrive at the City Ground on Sunday.


The last time was in August 2012 when Wigan won 4-1 on the banks of the River Trent in the League Cup - a game which saw Cox score the Reds' consolation goal.


Forest harbour realistic ambitions this season of ending their 15-year absence from the top flight and Cox sees the visit of the Hammers as a taste of what might be.


"It's going to be a tough task but if we get to the Premier League next season we'll be going up against this sort of team week in, week out, which obviously is what we want to be doing," said the Republic of Ireland international.


"You don't necessarily like to play sides from your own league because it can feel like any other game, but this is a match everyone is looking forward to. It'll be a good test for us."


Midfielders David Vaughan, on loan from Sunderland, and Djamal Abdoun will be checked on after both missed the Championship draw at Reading on New Year's Day.


Striker Darius Henderson will be available for selectionafter completing a three-match suspension.


West Ham manager Sam Allardyce still believes in the magic of the FA Cup - but his side's current league form means the third-round trip is not high on his list of priorities.


The Hammers travel to the City Ground languishing in 19th place and having collected just two points throughout the whole of December.


A 3-0 home win over Fulham on November 30 was the last time West Ham managed to take three points from a league game, although they have progressed to the final four of the Capital One Cup with a two-legged semi-final against Manchester City to come.


Those two factors dictate that Allardyce will not be focusing too much on Forest but he feels they will not be the only club taking the competition a little lightly.


"There is no change from my point of view in terms of the competition," he said.


"It is a fantastic competition and has great history and tradition, there is no doubt about that. But if you're in a position where we are and with the injuries we have there is only one major priority at this football club from all levels.


"From all levels, I mean from the owners all the way down, that priority lies with the Barclays Premier League and that won't ever change for any football club, irrespective of who they are.


"At this stage of the season, when we face the third round on the back of a heavy, heavy schedule then it becomes less of a priority to all of the other competitions you are involved in, certainly if three days later you have a semi-final against Manchester City up at the Etihad Stadium."


Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, James Collins, Winston Reid, James Tomkins and Ricardo Vaz Te are all injured and skipper Kevin Nolan is suspended.

Nottm Forest 2-0 QPR: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Forest cut down Rangers

QPR's lengthy search for a win at the City Ground continues but Nottingham Forest ended theirs to breathe life back into their Sky Bet Championship play-off hopes.


The London club have now failed to win in all of their 31 visits to Forest, while Billy Davies' side had not won any of their previous five outings on the banks of the River Trent as their promotion challenge stuttered.


But a first-half header from Greg Halford and a controversial late second from Andy Reid secured a 2-0 win which lifted them back into the top six as Harry Redknapp's QPR suffered a second consecutive defeat.


Forest had Simon Cox ruled out with a virus prior to kick-off, which left Davies with a shortage of options up front.


Redknapp had a similar headache with Charlie Austin, the Hoops' leading scorer, sidelined with a hamstring problem.


Halford, Forest's most versatile performer, was pushed forward from his recent right-back role to instead play as a lone striker and the 6ft 3in player gave the visiting defence a few problems right from the off.


It needed a fine save from Robert Green to deny Halford what would have been a good goal, with the England goalkeeper saving bravely at his feet after the forward had skipped through the Rangers defence and through on goal.


Halford did fluff his lines when given a second opportunity, shooting wildly over the bar, but he made no mistake when given a third opportunity, powering home a header from close range after Djamel Abdoun had mesmerised the Hoops' defence with a twisting run and cross.


Benoit Assou-Ekotto had forced a solid save from Karl Darlow with a well-struck drive before the goal and Niko Kranjcar almost scored shortly after Forest had taken the lead, with his delightful curling effort flying just the wrong side of the post from 20 yards.


QPR responded by bringing on Andy Johnson and Junior Hoilett during the interval and they looked livelier for it, with Tom Carroll's dipping shot forcing a fine save from Darlow, who steered it over the bar.


Although Halford had another looping header narrowly clear the bar as he connected with Reid's cross and then missed a rather better opportunity, when Mackie picked him out unmarked in the centre only for Halford to prod the ball right at a relieved Green.


Clint Hill had to clear off the line when Green failed to properly deal with a high ball into the box, with Jack Hobbs sending a low shot fizzing towards the bottom corner.


Jenas also saw a spectacular drive deflected over and Richard Dunne's header was saved at the other end.


But then came the game's controversial moment, with Abdoun firing the ball through the centre, which Halford attempted to flick. The striker made no contact and the ball ran through for Reid, with the assistant referee flagging immediately for offside.


Referee Keith Stroud allowed play to continue and Reid calmly slotted the ball beyond Green to put the game beyond Rangers' reach in the 80th minute.