A tough night for Forest Green Rovers as their National League Cup campaign comes to an end after losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest U21S at home.

The stalemate was broken just after half-time as Nottingham Forest’s Kalum Thompson scored a right-footed shot down the right side to put them in front.

Three points were the difference between glory and glum as they finished fourth in the table, two points from second place.

An early chance came in the seventh minute after Ryan Inniss just went wide down the left side of the goal after a brilliant cross from Jili Buyabu.

In the 15th minute, captain Jordan Moore-Taylor created a solid slide tackle to keep Forest from leading in the first half.

Luke McNicholas made his first save of the game in the 40th minute from the first shot on target to keep the opposition from going ahead.

A chance to put Forest ahead in the 43rd minute as Christian Doidge is through on goal, but cannot find the finish to put the Rovers one up.

A trio of blocks on the goal line came from McNicholas, Moore-Taylor and Inniss right before the halftime whistle.

Half-Time: Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Nottingham Forest U21S

It was Forest who had the best start to the second half as Kalum Thompson struck in the 49th minute to put Forest 1-0 up and put the pressure on for the Rovers.

In the 53rd minute, Lamin Sillah attempted to double the lead, but McNicholas denied his effort.

Rovers kept pushing for an equaliser but couldn’t find a connection with the net.

Haughton saw a glimpse of a goal in the 84th minute to try and equalise, but Forest’s Luke Campbell made another save to keep a clean sheet.

A late shout for a penalty comes in the 94th minute as Max Robson is taken down inside the box, but the referee doesn’t agree and calls for a corner.

Full-Time: Forest Green Rovers 0-1 Nottingham Forest U21S

Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas, Inniss, Moore-Taylor, Kengni, Haughton, Doidge, Dausch (Robson, 45), Knowles (Pemberton, 1), Moore (Conteh, 63), Buyabu (Long, 45), Babalola (Cardwell, 1).

Subs not used: Pagel, Williams

Nottingham Forest U21S: Campbell, Dennis Nwosu (Broomes, 80), Sanneh, Hammond, Hanks, Nwosu (Daly, 90), Thompson, McClure, Sillah, Berry, Blake (Anijsko, 63).

Subs not used: Grainger, Thompson, Bradsahw, Yaya.

Attendance: 265