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Dexter Blackstock scored twice as Nottingham Forest ended a miserable season with a rare but deserved home win over already-relegated Portsmouth.

An entertaining enough first period failed to produce any goals but Forest upped the pressure after the interval.

Blackstock tapped in the opener from a yard with 20 minutes remaining.

And his powerful header from Andy Reid's corner ensured Forest's sixth home league win this term and a 19th-placed finish in the Championship.

Coventry's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton means Pompey - the team Steve Cotterill left to become manager of Forest in October 2011 - ended a troubled season third from bottom, despite the defeat.

The visitors looked as if they might hold on for a point after a gutsy display, but Forest were always the more threatening and had the better chances before Blackstock broke the deadlock.

Garath McCleary and Lewis McGugan both looked lively for the hosts early on and Blackstock and Adlene Guedioura both tested keeper Jamie Ashdown.

Chris Gunter also blazed an effort over the bar, while, at the other end, Reds' goalkeeper Lee Camp fumbled a Kelvin Etuhu effort and Chris McGuire fired over the bar.

Forest started to increase the pressure after the interval and Blackstock tapped them ahead after a flowing team move involving Paul Anderson, Greg Cunningham and McCleary.

David Norris did shoot over from 16 yards for Pompey but, having had three headed chances saved within a minute by Ashdown, Blackstock sealed the win when he headed home in the final seconds.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill:

"One of our biggest problems was that we didn't have a defence for half the season, certainly while I have been here.

"But we also had to deal with the fact that we didn't have a striker who was capable of making a difference by scoring goals in games that were tight.

"When you put the two together it is a recipe for disaster, but we brought defenders in on loan and Dexter [Blackstock] has come back and done exceptionally well.

"Everyone knows what sort of striker Dexter is, but he's a good lad as well and I'm delighted for him that he's finished the season so strongly."

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton:

"We know we are going to be one of the big fish in League One next season and there's every likelihood that we will have 15,000 plus at Fratton Park every home game and that's big for any manager when he's trying to sign players.

"Our fans were tremendous today, but they always are. To be fair I thought the players gave them something to cheer about and they were still cheering long after the end of the game.

"It was a difficult match for both sides and I suppose we could both have done without it, but there will be a lot of changes next season.

"It's going to be a busy period over the next couple of months with a lot of players leaving and a lot of players hopefully coming in."

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