FOR Slovenia, substitute Nottingham. Once again Birmingham City recovered a seemingly lost cause, and once again it was Chris Burke who provided the first flash of inspiration.

Burke’s equaliser in the Europa League against NK Maribor helped swing the initiative Blues’ way, and they went on to notch an historic victory.

And here at the City Ground, Blues also looked down and out for the best part.

But, improved by a switch to 4-4-2, and Burke’s superb strike from 25 yards giving them a firm impetus, Blues revived dramatically.

Chris Wood helped himself to two further goals during an incredible finale as fragile Forest fell apart – and ultimately cost their manager Steve McClaren his job.

There were two changes to the side that won so gallantly in midweek on foreign soil.

Nikola Zigic got his first start since the Carling Cup final and Boaz Myhill was restored between the posts.

Another was to come soon, enforced, after Keith Fahey played Jonathan Spector short with a pass and he injured his knee in a block tackle.

David Murphy replaced Spector at right-back in the 12th minute, although it didn’t really affect the way Blues played in the first half to any great detail.

In short, they were decidedly average as an attacking entity.

The game was very narrow, and Blues couldn’t exert any authority, or use pockets of space and go in behind to trouble Forest.

Wes Morgan was a burly barrier against Zigic and although Forest started with an attacking slant, playing Ishmael Miller and Matt Derbyshire flanking Marcus Tudgay, they were hardly a threat either.

But they edged ahead from a 35th minute corner, executing from a simple, driven ball into the near post.

Derbyshire got the better of Jean Beausejour and Miller was hardly going to miss from a couple of yards range with his header as he stood there in the perfect spot to meet the flick-on.

From Blues’ perspective, it was a poor goal to allow, especially as their own corners in the first half were not at all effective, despite the added presence of Zigic.

Wade Elliott was again used in an advanced role just off the striker but the formation, at best, spluttered and Blues didn’t carry any proper weight or substance.