07/04/2008 - Forest 3 Cheltenham 1
This was a meeting of two teams with very different goals, but one that left both with a renewed appetite for achieving them.
Cheltenham arrived at the City Ground in the same mood as they appeared in League One, with little in the way of hope or expectation.
But, while defeat may have put a dent in their survival hopes, Robins boss Keith Downing's optimism was undamaged as he surveyed his surroundings from the dug-out at the City Ground.
For a club with less than a decade of history in the Football League, this was a glamorous stage on which to perform and, as he put it, it provided an incentive for them to perform in their final five matches, as they attempt to secure another season in League One.
"We just want to play a little more of this level, which is our incentive for the rest of the season," said Downing. "Forest want to go on to bigger and better things and get out of this level, but we want a bit more of it."
Merely metres away, to Downing's left, Colin Calderwood went through a very different series of emotions, ranging from the almost obligatory angry hurling of the water bottle to fist-pumping delight.
But, having seen the back of a miserable March, April already seems to be a happier month for Forest, as they built on their impressive success at promotion rivals Carlisle. Two wins should now be enough for Forest to secure their place in the play-offs and the opportunity to fight it out for a place in the Championship, following a comfortable success over a hard-working, plucky Cheltenham side that ultimately lacked the quality to compete.
But, while it may have been a result that was little more than anyone - even those connected with Cheltenham - might have expected, it was also a performance that suggested the Reds just might be finding form at the right time.
A 20th-minute strike from Steven Gillespie came completely against the run of play, after Brett Ormerod and Junior Agogo had both come close to scoring during an encouraging start.
On another day, the confident, low finish provided by the Cheltenham midfielder would have been enough to damage confidence on the banks of the Trent, on the pitch and off it.
But there was barely time for the mood to change, as Forest went in search of an immediate reply, which took barely five minutes to arrive, with Sammy Clingan delivering a swift cross from the left, which Ghana international Agogo controlled deftly, before rifling into the back of the net from eight yards.
Agogo's menacing presence was maintained, as he lifted a rising shot narrowly over the bar, while Wes Morgan advanced forwards in typically cavalier fashion to send a low shot into the side netting.
But Forest's superiority was to tell before the break, as Lewis McGugan sent in a swirling cross from the right to pick out Garath McCleary, who thumped a header against the bar.
Before the Cheltenham defence had time to react, Luke Chambers powered home his second goal in two matches, as he pounced swiftly on the loose ball.
And, though Gillespie forced another scare, as he dropped a looping header onto the top of Paul Smith's crossbar, it was Forest who were creating the majority of the chances.
Seconds later Agogo made it three as he set off on a run and fired an unstoppable shot inside the far post.
Agogo then bent a shot around the foot of the post and Ormerod was denied by a smart save from Shane Higgs, after being sent clear by substitute Kris Commons.
A late cameo from Mark Byrne, a young midfielder who has been building his reputation at reserve team level, saw him almost scoring with his first touch, lashing a half-volley narrowly wide.
And that was the only disappointment of the day, that Forest failed to make the most of their superiority.
But critically, the Reds do seem to be finding form at the right time, despite the continued good form of the likes of Leeds and Southend.
Bristol Rovers, the visitors to Nottingham tomorrow night, are more opposition that will fall into the category of teams they are expected to beat.
While, on Saturday, a win over another of the teams aiming for a top-six finish, in the form of Tranmere Rovers, should be enough to ensure a place in the play-offs.