Table toppers Nottingham Forest opposed a youthful Stoke side and proved their calibre.

Forest brought an experienced side with the likes of Nathan Tyson and Scott Dobie in the line-up, proving too much for a Potters side which largely comprised of Academy players.

Two goals from Tyson and Grant Holt within the first ten minutes sealed the Potters fate at the Britannia Stadium.

Substitutes Ben Fairclough and Ryan Whitehurst added to the score tally in the final stages of the game making it the seventh loss of the season for City's Reserves.

Forest dominated the game and City keeper Steve Ryan was under pressure throughout. Ryan put in some good saves though, especially in the 87^th minute when he tipped a shot over the bar.

Although the scoreline obviously highlights the differences between the two sides there were still some positives to take out of the game.

Coach Mark O'Connor was keen to point out positive performances from Tom Thorley in midfield; Mark Grocott who played the full 90 minutes after a lengthy lay off and the aforementioned keeper Ryan.

Says he, "Considering the poor start the lads competed well and gradually grew in confidence.

"At the moment due to their recent run of results confidence is very low, and hopefully with hard work this will change."

The Reserves now look forward to Tuesday (27th March) where they travel to Walsall for a 2pm kick-off, hoping they can turn their fortune around.

CITY: Ryan, Watson (Wedderburn, 63), Ho, Robinson, Owens, Doyle, Phillips, Thorley, Tudor, Grocott, McGaw (Brunt, 63). Subs: St. Louis-Hamilton (GK), Pointon.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Gamble, Moloney, Heath, Byrne, Bencherif, Fernandez, Dobie, Hughes, Tyson (Bastians, 46), Grant Holt (Fairclough, 67), James (Whitehurst, 72). Subs: Redmond (GK), Sinclair.