A blunt Cardiff City attack failed to break down a Nottingham Forest side that were content to defend the game out after taking a 3rd minute lead at The City Ground today.
Forest were out of the blocks quickly and found all the time they needed down the left hand side where Gaetan Bong was given time to proceed and pick out Lyle Taylor with a pin point cross. Taylor volleyed superbly to give debutant keeper Dillon Phillips no chance.
From then on the game was all about what Cardiff could do. Forest gave up possession and swatted away with ease a very poor, lacklustre, pedestrian and inaffective Cardiff attack. The Bluebirds managed just three efforts on target in 90 minutes and all of those were straight at Jordan Smith.
Forest had made 8 changes from their league line up but they barely broke sweat as Cardiff moved the ball in the open spaces but failed to make any meaningful efforts where it mattered.
Another disappointing exit at the first time of asking from a cup competition this season and more questions raised on the ability of Neil Harris to inspire a side to win a game. That's four defeats in a row and next week League leaders Norwich come to CCS.
Nottingham Forest: Smith; Jenkinson, Worrall, McKenna, Bong; Lolley, Cafu, Arter (Sow 85), Ameobi (Mighten 59); Guerrero (Yates 66), Taylor.
Subs: Samba, Christie, Mbe Soh, Dawson, Blackett, Swan.
Cardiff City: Phillips; Bacuna, Nelson, Bennett, Bagan; Pack (Harris 84), Vaulks (Hoilett 63), Ralls; Wilson, Murphy (Ojo 78), Glatzel.
Subs: Smithies, Patten, Evans, Whyte.