Blackpool 1-4 Nottingham Forest: Brennan Johnson double guides play-off chasers to victory

Brennan Johnson's first Forest double took the Wales international's season tally to 14 - nine of which have come since Christmas

Nottingham Forest scored three first-half goals as they boosted their Championship play-off hopes with victory at Blackpool.

Brennan Johnson's first-half double followed Philip Zinckernagel's highly fortuitous opener, and substitute Sam Surridge's late fourth cemented victory before Callum Connolly's consolation goal for Blackpool.

After starting the day in ninth, Forest's eighth away league win of the season - and eighth game without defeat - lifted them to fifth going into the afternoon fixtures.

However, while the visitors were much the better side, all three first-half goals owed something to luck, especially the opener.

From Johnson's low right-wing cross on 11 minutes, Zinckernagel's near-post effort clipped Blackpool defender Jordan Thorniley's heel and span up cruelly over goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw to find the left corner.

Johnson then got on the scoresheet on the half-hour when Ryan Yates' pass deflected kindly into his path off James Husband and the in-form Wales international despatched an instinctive right-foot half-volley low into the same bottom corner.

And when Grimshaw miscued a clearance straight to Johnson, the 20-year-old made him pay with clinical efficiency, nutmegging Husband before firing past the hapless keeper for his 14th goal of the campaign and his ninth since Christmas.

Blackpool, unbeaten in their previous four games, had as much possession throughout, created chances of their own and were certainly not flattered by the scoreline - especially when Surridge slid home an excellent Forest fourth.

But the hosts at least had the final word when Blackpool defender Connolly, a second-half substitute for Kevin Stewart, volleyed home Thorniley's knockdown.

Who's next?

Blackpool still had an outside chance of making the play-offs prior to kick-off, having begun the day just six points behind Forest in 13th.

But, with eight games left, beginning with two successive away Lancashire derbies, at Preston on Tuesday and Blackburn next Saturday, it looks a tall order.

Forest now face two Midlands derbies this week, at home to fellow play-off contenders Coventry on Tuesday, then against Birmingham City on Saturday.

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley:

"It was a strange game. Every time they got into our penalty area, they scored. We just didn't defend those moments well enough, and they had a bit of luck.

"I've not seen the stats yet, but I reckon there'll be not a lot in that game. We weren't second best - only in moments.

"Forest have got quality players at the top of the pitch, but we didn't have the quality or composure they had."

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper:

"I didn't say anything to Brennan but I think when he's come back from international duty in recent times, he's taken a little bit to get going.

"I felt it was interesting to see how he did, and he was excellent - his whole approach to playing for the team and the contribution that he makes.

"We're really hitting our stride this season. All the boys believe in ourselves to win games - if we can do the business on the pitch then the rest will take care of itself."