Forest take comfort in Carling Cup

Nottingham Forest booked their place in the second round of the Carling Cup on the night the club’s English top-flight record of 42 matches unbeaten was broken by Arsenal.

Their 2-0 win over Scunthorpe made it 13 games without loss for Joe Kinnear’s current Forest side, but it was an uninspired performance against the League Two leaders at the City Ground.

Gareth Taylor bundled in his third goal of the season from a Paul Evans free-kick against the leaders of League Two, managed by former Forest player Brian Laws.

The second arrived with 12 minutes left as David Johnson’s lob over Paul Musselwhite hit the crossbar and Marlon King picked his spot with the rebound.

A stunning double from Patrick Suffo helped Championship side Coventry secure a 4-1 win over Torquay at Highfield Road.

Stephen Hughes put the Sky Blues 1-0 up six minutes into the second period before the Cameroon international took charge.

He broke forward from 35 yards out and took on three defenders before burying his first and four minutes later he lashed in a second. Jo Kuffour pulled one back for the Gulls but it proved to be mere consolation as Andy Morrell tucked in City’s fourth.

Notts County came from behind to beat Bradford 2-1 at Valley Parade after extra-time.

Dean Windass’ sixth-minute penalty gave the Bantams the early advantage after Ben Muirhead was brought down by David Pipe. Ian Richardson equalised in the 64th minute and Robert Ullathorne took the Magpies through with a goal in the 105th minute.

Coca-Cola Championship side Reading were too good for their Thames Valley neighbours Oxford as Shaun Goater steered them in front (62) before Andy Hughes added a breakaway second with 13 minutes left.

Sheffield Wednesday beat Walsall 1-0 at Hillsborough. Lee Peacock drilled a low shot home after latching on to Glenn Whelan’s crossfield ball in the 20th minute.