Cotterill hails Reid

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill hailed the qualities of Andy Reid after the Republic of Ireland international had turned in a match-winning performance against Millwall.

Reid had a hand in Forest’s first two goals and scored a vital third as Forest gave themselves crucial breathing space at the foot of the npower Championship with a 3-1 win.

And Cotterill enthused: “Reidy has Premiership quality – there’s no doubt about that. That left foot of his is like a wand and he’s scored a great goal for us today.

“I am delighted for him because he has worked very hard. He’s got better and better since the time I came into the club and he’s deserved the praise he gets.

“But I’m pleased with all the lads today. I wish we had kept a clean sheet because Lee Camp deserved it and the strikers deserved a goal but everyone played a part and I’m delighted about that.

“It was a difficult game for us because Millwall have had some great results of late and they are a very dangerous team. They are honest, work hard and are not short of ability. To score three goals against them could not have been better.”

James Henry twice hit the woodwork for Millwall in the first half but it was Forest who came off leading 2-0 with Reid the architect for both of them.

He crossed superbly for Garath McCleary to score his fourth goal in seven games with a far post header in the 28th minute.

And it was Reid’s 37th minute free-kick that caused confusion in Millwall’s defensive ranks and gave on-loan Danny Higginbotham the chance to fire a shot beyond Millwall keeper David Forde.

Millwall pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute when Josh Wright saw his shot deflected onto the post and fellow substitute Darius Henderson followed up to head his 18th goal of the season into an unguarded net.

But Reid settled it in the 79th minute when, with Millwall anticipating a cross and lining up to catch Forest offside, the midfielder sent a brilliant effort dipping over Forde.

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said: “I felt we created a lot of chances – more than our opponents – but Forest put their opportunities away and that was the difference.

“I thought we were really unlucky to be two goals down considering we had hit the woodwork twice and had some great situations to score goals.

“But we had to do better defensively than we did today even though the players had some complaints with some decisions that went against us.

“Even though Forest were ahead, I felt when it was 2-1 in the second half that we had a big chance with the possibility of them being nervous but Reid finished us off with a great strike.”