Forest go nap on the road – while seconds are promoted!

Forest started on the front foot and created some early chances, including Charlotte O’Brien hitting the crossbar.

The Forest pressure told when some good work from Natalie Mitchell on the right allowed her to cross for O’Brien to sweep home at the far post.

Karen Wignall quickly doubled Forest’s lead when she picked up a fantastic through ball from Mitchell and slotted it past the keeper.

Fiona Chadwick, playing at right defence, picked up an injury, allowing Mawgan Naylor to make her first team debut.

Forest were put under a little bit of pressure, but the reshuffled back four held firm as Kirkby Lonsdale failed to create any clear cut chances.

Forest effectively killed off the game with the last touch of the first half when Cathy Waters smashed a short corner past the keeper.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Forest dominating possession and creating numerous chances.

O’Brien’s movement on the forward line caused the Kirkby defence problems, and opened up space for Wignall inside the D.

Forest continued to carve out chances, but failed to convert, much to the frustration of manager Scott Hornby.

Forest eventually went 4-0 up when O’Brien controversially lifted the ball at goal from a short corner, only for the umpire to allow it to stand.

With Forest in control, Kirkby’s only chances were created from their fast right forward. Rebecca Whitham-Kay proceeded to take their player out in a rugby-style challenge for which she was, quite rightly, carded.

With the game won, Forest switched off at the back and allowed Lonsdale a consolation goal when an unmarked forward took the ball round Laura Kendall in goal.

Forest scored a fifth goal towards the end when Dani Hornby hit a ball into the D, for it to be deflected past the keeper by a defender.

Forest are now one point behind second place with two games left.

Forest seconds won 3-1 at Lancaster to clinch promoted into the Lancashire Premier Division - and if they win their remaining three games, they may well go up as champions.

Lancaster went 1-0 up in the first half, and could have scored more but for Jayne Kirkpatrick in the Forest goal.

After a roasting at half-time, Forest equalised when Cath Hutchinson tucked away a rebound off the keeper.

Kirkpatrick made a fantastic save from a penalty flick, before Judith Hind controlled a lifted ball into the D, turned and fired a ball across goal for Dani Hornby to deflect in.

Captain Janet Mitchell-Stanworth smashed in a third right on full-time.