Nottingham Forest 1 - 2 Burnley

Nottm Forest 1-2 Burnley

Updated: September 13, 2008, 6:17 PM UK

A rare brace of goals from Graham Alexander gave Burnley their first victory of the Coca-Cola Championship season as they edged a closely-contested affair against Nottingham Forest 2-1.

Burnley looked to have been denied their first win at the City Ground for 45 years when Rob Earnshaw's tap-in cancelled out Alexander's first-half free-kick.

But when substitute Ade Akinbiyi forced a penalty 20 minutes from time, the Scotland international made no mistake despite a lengthy delay in proceedings.

Forest boss Colin Calderwood opted against resting striker Earnshaw, who has been away on international duty with Wales, so Andy Cole started on the bench against the side he played for on loan last season.

Steven Thompson was handed his full debut for the Clarets following his deadline-day move from Cardiff, while Chris Eagles began a three-game ban following his dismissal against Plymouth.

Burnley carved out the first real opportunity in the opening stages when Kevin McDonald's strike was diverted wide by the outstretched leg of Forest defender James Perch.

Lee Martin fired harmlessly wide for the hosts before Chris McCann's deflected effort momentarily wrong-footed Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith.

Tyson should have broken the deadlock in the 16th minute when he found himself clean through on goal with only Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen to beat.

McCann had tried to cushion a header down for Alexander on the edge of the Forest box but a flowing counter-attack finished with Tyson blazing high and wide as the Burnley stopper threw himself at the ball.

Burnley took the lead in the 25th minute, a free-kick move finishing with Alexander converting from well outside the box.

The defender curled the ball past the Forest wall and beyond the despairing dive of Smith in the Forest goal, who could do little other than watch the ball clip the right-hand post and finish up in the back of the net.

Earnshaw saw his shot from inside the Burnley penalty area parried wide by Jensen as Forest tried but failed to get back on level terms before the break.

The Clarets continued to press hard after the break and initially frustrated the hosts.

But Forest did pull level in the 52nd minute when the Burnley back-four failed to react to a Martin Cross.

Caldwell headed the ball onto his own crossbar and when it finally dropped Earnshaw was first to react and poked home the equaliser.

Burnley then tried to put themselves back in front, loading the Forest box with a series of testing crosses.

McCann brought a fine save from Smith following Wade Elliott's cross before the visitors' good spell of pressure was rewarded with a goal.

Owen Coyle's decision to introduce Akinbiyi and Robbie Blake paid dividends when the Clarets front men combined to win a penalty.

Akinbiyi's pass in the direction of Blake was adjudged to have been handled by Forest defender Wes Morgan inside the box.

Alexander then stepped up and despite a delay, managed to keep his cool and slot home the resulting penalty to restore the Clarets' lead.

Akinbiyi had a header parried by Smith and Blake rifled just over as Burnley began to dominate during the closing stages.