Nottingham Forest slip to sixth defeat in seven games at home to Brentford

Forest could not find an equaliser in a strong second-half performance, after Brentford’s soft opener, and then gave away two late goals to put the Bees out of sight before Joe Worrall’s injury-time consolation.

And there was still time for more misery for the Reds as winger Anthony Knockaert – who had impressed since his half-time introduction and saw a goal disallowed – was sent off after receiving a second booking for diving.

Afterwards, Hughton said: “It's hugely disappointing and it's probably the most disappointed I've been during this run of games.

“I wanted us to start the game better than what we did, but we were up against a well-drilled team who started better than we did.

“We've conceded three really poor goals and not taken our own chances.

“Individual mistakes are costing us because at the moment we don’t have the ability at the other end to capitalise on the good positions we’re getting into. The two things I continue to speak about is we are conceding poor goals and not taking our chances at the other end.”

“I thought the decision to rule Anthony's goal out was harsh. I was also disappointed with the sending off because Anthony says he got a touch from the lad's arm and now we'll lose him for Tuesday's game.”

Hughton made one change from the side which went down 2-1 at Norwich midweek, with Ryan Yates recalled after his one-game ban following his red card at Reading, Samba Sow dropping to the bench.

But it was Brentford who took the lead after just 14 minutes, Jensen’s inswinging left-wing corner glanced in by the unmarked Henrik Dalsgaard.

The visitors were full of confidence and Samba had to be at his best to turn away Bryan Mbeumo’s low shot, before Toney sent a powerful volley just over the bar after Emiliano Marcondes seized on Samba’s poor clearance.

Hughton made a double change at half-time, with Knockaert and Miguel Guerrero replacing the ineffective Harry Arter and Lolley as the Reds switched from 4-1-4-1 to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation – and looked much better.

Forest thought they were level after 59 minutes when Cyrus Christie’s cross was stroked home by Knockaert, only for the celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag against Lyle Taylor.

Raya then had to be alert to tip over Knockaert’s shot from distance as Forest pressed for the equaliser their second-half performance deserved.

But it was Brentford who scored next, with seven minutes to play. Ameobi gave the ball away, the Bees broke and Josh Dasilva cut in from the right to curl the ball superbly in off the post.

And it was 3-0 after 88 minutes. Tobias Figueiredo and Samba hesitated under Vitaly Janelt’s high ball and Toney slid in to poke home.

Worrall did get the Reds on the scoresheet in injury time, heading in Knockaert’s free-kick, but it was just a brief respite in Forest’s misery as Knockaert was then sent off.

Forest: Samba; Christie, Ribeiro, Figueiredo, Worrall; Yates; Ameobi, Cafu, Arter (Guerrero, 45), Lolley (Knockaert, 45); Taylor. Subs not used: Smith, Jenkinson, Bong, Mbe Soh, Sow, Mighten, Swan.