Nottingham Forest suffered injury-time heartbreak as Newcastle scored in stoppage time to win 2-1.
The Reds led thanks to a wonderful goal from Emmanuel Dennis before Alexander Isak equalised before the break.
Forest looked to have won themselves an underserved point after some dominant Newcastle pressure but heartache was in store.
When Moussa Niakhate handled in the box, Isak stepped up to make it 2-1 to the Magpies and put another nail in the coffin for Forest.
It was another drab performance from the Reds, but what were the big takeaways from the encounter? Here are three of ours…
Midfield conundrum for Steve Cooper
Nothing against Jonjo Shelvey but since he checked in at Forest, the Reds have struggled to dominate in midfield.
The challenge for Cooper is to decide who plays alongside him and if Forest opt for two in midfield, whether he plays at all.
Remo Freuler and Ryan Yates have missed each other whilst the latter has been out injured.
Yesterday, Freuler was dropped and perhaps that was a mistake given that the Swiss star and Yates struck up a strong partnership when the Reds went on a good run earlier in the season.
Cooper has a serious nut to crack here. Forest were very passive in midfield against Newcastle and something, or someone has to give.
Relegation looms large
With teams in and around Forest starting to pick up points, it’s becoming a pretty precarious time for the Reds.
It’s now six games without a win for Forest and tension was evident inside the City Ground last night.
There is very little to be positive about right now on Trentside.
Forest don’t even look like winning when they are actually winning and their slide down the league is alarming.
Fans don’t demand a team that beats Champions League-chasing teams but ultimately, Forest didn’t even do the bare minimum last night.
Dennis provides positive
It’s time for Emmanuel Dennis to get a run of games in the team. He scored his second goal for the Reds last night and what a strike it was.
He deftly chipped Nick Pope after an error from Sven Botman and his performance warranted a goal.
The 25-year-old has struggled for game time since arriving from Watford but last night he gave his all.
Forest are desperately struggling for goals and Dennis has the quality to provide those for the Reds in the battle against survival.