THE PROSPECT of Nottingham Forest surrendering their place among the elite after just three seasons cannot now be discounted. Not since the campaign's opening day have they tasted the seemingly forbidden fruit of success in the Premiership and even at this admittedly early stage the omens could hardly be said to be encouraging.

Sheffield's relief was almost tangible - this was their first league win in 10 weeks. It was narrow, but well merited and rounded off in some style five minutes before the final whistle by Italian import Benito Carbone who drove in a splendid shot from distance.

Wednesday's football was by some distance the neater but their insistence upon channelling their efforts down the right flank, where Pearce was in particularly unyielding mood, was confusing and served to dramatically reduce the level of their overall effectiveness.

Even so, chances continued to fall their way and with 27 minutes remaining a tangible reward was finally theirs.

Carbone's rather over hit corner was returned into the penalty area by Newsome and after the ball had evaded countless outstretched legs Orlando Trusffull stepped forward to steer in a low shot.

Forest's manager, Frank Clark's sense of desperation is now so acute that he is willing to further enrage an impatient support by selling off the family silver. To that end several Premiership clubs have already been contacted and asked if they would care to lodge bids for Forest's senior players, the inference being that every member of Clarke's rather shallow senior pool is available for transfer if the price is right.

Yesterday the man who would be saviour, local businessman Grant Bovey, announced he was withdrawing his offer of a takeover and with debts of around £16 million Forest are hardly an attractive proposition.