14/04/2008 - Tranmere 0 Forest 2
Brace yourselves for another mood swing at the City Ground, where the state of mind changes more frequently than a hormonal teenager's.
A tenacious, determined display that typified the perfect away performance not only secured Nottingham Forest's place in the play-offs but also prompted an upturn in their previously fragile mind-set.
This was a victory that suggested, if nothing else, that the players might not be short of the strength of character required to ensure that there is no repeat of the heartache suffered 12 months ago.
Suddenly, where there had previously been criticism and vitriol on Tuesday evening, following the lacklustre draw with Bristol Rovers, there was optimism and hope.
If Reds manager Colin Calderwood was in any doubt of that, it was eradicated as he conducted his post-match interviews on the fringes of the muddy, pot-holed turf that had provided a fitting stage for their gritty victory.
As an urgent voice chirped up from the near empty stands "Colin. . .?". The previously under-fire manager seemed to brace himself.
But, this time, there was to be no abuse and no jeers, as the youngster followed up with "Give us a wave", a request that was greeted with an equally cheery response.
There was good cause for the upturn in spirits following a victory that was as encouraging as any ground-out since their play-off first-leg success at Yeovil last season.
There were, in fact, many similarities between this game and that success, as Forest held out under long spells of pressure, before ultimately making the most of their own opportunities, this time largely forged on the break through the lightning pace of Nathan Tyson.
The striker was one of two stand-out players amid a solid team performance, as his speed and determination earned Forest a crucial breakthrough in the 34th minute, latching onto an incisive, looping pass down the right flank from Chris Cohen, leaving defender Antony Kay in his wake and nudging the ball, with the very tip of his toe, beyond the advancing keeper, before applying the finish into an empty net.
It was vindication for the striker, who had endured a fierce, physical encounter with the looming figure of Tranmere defender Ian Goodison, who used every tactic, both fair and foul.
It left Tyson black and blue, nursing a cut lip and a bruised head - neither of which prevented him sporting the widest of smiles when it came to contemplating a place in the play-offs.
Having the striker fit and available will certainly be an advantage for Forest, whose striker crisis at the end of the last campaign left them, critically, lacking fire power in the play-offs.
But there was also a steely mood at the other end of the pitch where a rearguard action lead by the indomitable Wes Morgan, ensured Forest rarely looked likely to concede, despite longs spells of domination from the home side. Morgan, alongside Ian Breckin, who can barely have lost an aerial challenge all afternoon, formed an impenetrable barrier that Tranmere only looked capable of breaching on a handful of occasions.
When Morgan arrived to connect with a thunderous header on the far side of the box, after a clever combination between Garath McCleary and Cohen had given the former Yeovil man the opportunity to lay-on a goal for the second time in the match, it put the game beyond the home side.
And, while Walsall may still mathematically be able to catch Forest, the Saddlers must win all four of their remaining matches, while Calderwood's side must collect no more than a single point from their final three.
On recent form, that is unlikely, to say the least.
Six days ago, Forest suffered a set-back in the form of their performance against Bristol Rovers. But when you look at the bigger picture, the Reds have taken ten points from a possible 12 amid a run of form that has showcased an unquestioned grittiness and determination. A visit from already relegated Luton Town is unlikely to halt Forest's momentum this weekend.
While two final games against Hartlepool and Yeovil will provide an opportunity to make a point against teams who brought an end to their promotion hopes in the last two seasons; defeat at Hartlepool ended their faint hopes of a top six finish in 2006, and there was the Yeovil defeat in last season's play-offs.
But it is beyond those two fixtures where Forest will really be hoping to set the record straight, regardless of who they end up facing.
A lack of consistency throughout the campaign has been enough to ensure Forest have never mounted a realistic challenge for automatic promotion.
But you sense that they could be finding their form at the right time to give themselves a good chance of earning a place in the Championship via Wembley.
There remains much work to do between now and then. But Forest, mentally and physically, seem prepared for the challenge.
And, while there has been plenty of disappointment so far, Forest may be hitting their peak at the perfect moment.