TRANSFER embargo. Two simple words that have been echoing around the City Ground for many months.

Now, in the next few weeks, talk has turned to reality. The first consequences of Financial Fair Play rules will finally be felt by Nottingham Forest, from January 1.

So what does it mean for the club?

In the short term, not very much. But, beyond the next few months, Forest must start preparing for it's impact right now.

In fairness, while the embargo was officially confirmed by the Football League yesterday, within the club, it is something that has come as no surprise. The Reds hierarchy have been preparing for it for some time. They knew it was coming. Largely because Forest were not even close to falling within the allowable losses of £8m.

Equally – unless they sell a few of their prize assets for significant money – the club have little chance of falling within the £6m of losses allowed for the current season.

And, given the club's promotion aspirations, that seems an unlikely course of action.

The future of FFP still remains shrouded in doubt, with the success or failure of the expected legal challenge from QPR set to draw a line in the sand for every other club hit by sanctions.

If the London club do manage to contest the £50m-plus fine they face for breaching guidelines during their promotion to the top flight, it could send a shock wave through FFP as a whole. The damage could be terminal.

The outcome of that saga is not likely to come until the summer, however. And it is a battle QPR may not yet win.

So, even with the season not yet half completed, Forest must already cast a careful eye towards next season.

They must plan now, for the prospect of working under an embargo for the foreseeable future – and in particular next season, when there almost certainly will be ramifications for the Reds.

In January, putting the complexity of things aside, Stuart Pearce will be able to sign two players, either on loan or free transfers.

The manager has himself admitted that he would not be looking to make any more than one or two additions during the window anyway.

So, while his pool of potential targets will be reduced by not being allowed to pay a transfer fee, Forest can still explore the loan market or – and this will be more challenging – pick up a free transfer or two.

The only thing that will really change is that Fawaz Al Hasawi will not be able to continue his usual habit of backing his manager generously with funds.

Either way, with Andy Reid and Jack Hobbs set to return from injury, Forest do have a squad that is equipped to challenge for promotion, even if the current run of two wins in 14 matches might not support that argument brilliantly.

Forest can still, in the next two weeks, make the loan signing of Jack Hunt a permanent move, if they can agree a fee with Crystal Palace.

That, right now, seems unlikely, unless the Premier League club can be persuaded to lower their new £3m valuation of the player, which was more than double the fee Forest had agreed when the full-back initially joined on loan.

So Pearce may not be blessed with a host of cover at right back, were Eric Lichaj to collect an injury, even if Jamaal Lascelles can play there and Dan Harding did a good job there against Premier League opposition in the Capital One Cup.

Tom Ince's loan spell will also come to an end by January. But, with Chris Burke, Jamie Paterson, Michail Antonio, Stephen McLaughlin and promising youngster Oliver Burke pushing for his chance, Forest have plenty of talent in wide positions.

If the right one can be found, a striker would be a wise target in January, to add depth to a group that includes the outstanding summer signings Britt Assombalonga and Matty Fryatt, the experienced Dexter Blackstock and the raw potential of Lars Veldwijk.

However Pearce wants to juggle it, whether his targets include Hunt, an alternative right back, a striker or any other position he feels needs addressing, Forest will still be well equipped to challenge.

But Forest must plan for the worst case scenario, in the form of another season in the Championship. The planning for that is what must start now, given the restrictions Forest must work under.

And the first item at the top of the agenda must be the position of goalkeeper.

With Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles set to head for Newcastle in the summer, following their season long loan back at the City Ground, the Reds will have two voids to fill.

But it is the loss of Darlow that could be felt most keenly.

In Dorus de Vries, they have a ready made replacement; an experienced keeper who's distribution and shot stopping skills are widely regarded as being among the best outside of the top flight.

Former England stopper Tim Flowers, now the goalkeeping coach at Forest, holds de Vries in high regard. While Dimi Evtimov is also seen as being a bright prospect.

But Evtimov, currently on loan at Mansfield, may be a little way off first team readiness, at Championship level.

And, with de Vries, they have the more immediate issue of the fact that he is out of contract in the summer.

If Pearce does want the Dutchman to be his first choice next season, his task is to persuade him of that now – and also to get him to commit to a new deal.

Otherwise, Forest must identify a free transfer or loan target now, as quality keepers available on that basis will be in short supply. Particularly when, under FFP restrictions, Forest will be able to offer wages of around £10k a week, which is not hugely competitive in the modern era.

In defence, Lascelles will also depart for the north east, while Harding, Danny Collins and Greg Halford are out of contract in July.

Again, all players who would, if they do leave, have to be replaced by free transfers or loans, regardless of their current standing in the squad.

Forest must also decide on the futures of both Jamie Mackie and Radi Majewski – currently on loan at Reading and Huddersfield respectively – who are not out of contract in the summer.

Moving on Djamel Abdoun, Forest's £35k a week outcast, would also be a positive step.

Including Majewski, Mackie and Abdoun, Forest have 19 players who are under contract beyond this season and will be regarded as 'experienced' players under FFP rules.

By landing the likes of Chris Burke, Fryatt, David Vaughan, Robert Tesche and Danny Fox on free transfers, Pearce has proved it is possible to sign good players for nothing.

Persuading players of similar quality to sign for £10k a week in the future will be a more difficult challenge.

So, while the impact of FFP may be limited in the short term, it is something the club need to start planning for – and worrying about – now.

A bank robber has been jailed for nine years after he passed a note to cashiers in Nottingham claiming he would shoot one and that he had bomb.

Balal Jahangir escaped with more than £4,000 after he struck at Lloyds, in Carlton Hill, on February 1, then at TSB, Netherfield, on August 1.

Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced Jahangir, 20, of Barnston Road, Sneinton, to five years for the first offence and nine years for the second to run concurrently.

Married Jahangir turned to crime after he was made redundant in January from his job at a firm of accountants and ran up a bill with loan sharks for £4,000, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Judge Stokes told him on Tuesday, December 16, he had pleaded guilty to two robberies on bank cashiers and had left his victims traumatised.

"The first teller was simply going about her business when you came in wearing a hoodie and you handed her a note in which you stated that you were in possession of a gun and you would shoot her if she did not hand over money and put it in a bag.

"It is clear from her victim impact statement that, although she did what you required and followed the bank's practice, this experience has had a particularly serious effect on her. She had nightmares for six to eight weeks. She has had to have counselling. It's not only effected her, it has effected her colleagues and her husband.

"On the second occasion you varied your threat by telling the cashier that you were in possession of a bomb in a note."

A NEW jobs website has been launched today that takes advantage of the Nottingham Post's trusted standing in the local community - and the power of a national media company.

The LOCAL job board is the main place for local employers to post vacancies 24 hours a day - rather than just during office hours.

But the website, run by Local World, owner of the Post, is linked with 75 of our sister newspapers across the country to create a powerful database.

Available across multi-media platforms such as a computer desktop, tablet and mobile phone, it can be accessed wherever the user is.

Readers can search by location, the type of job and sector - while there is also an A-Z of recruiters with information.

There is also a dedicated area on the website for recruiters, allowing employers to post vacancies, create campaigns, amend their details and access a fully integrated reporting suite.

Post editor Mike Sassi said: "The Post's new jobs pages will be easier to use - for both employers and people who are looking for a job.

"They will be able to upload both their adverts and CVs 24 hours a day. And they will always be safe in the knowledge that they are doing business through the trusted Nottingham Post."

Between July 2012 and June last year, there were 32,800 unemployed people in Nottinghamshire but from July last year to June this year, the number dropped to 26,200.

In Nottingham the number dropped from 21,700 to 19,100.

George Cowcher, chief executive of Nottinghamshire's Chamber of Commerce, said: "The number of jobs advertised online has grown by almost a third (31 per cent) since 2013, so it's clear that for people who are looking for work or a change in career, the internet is a good place to start.

"The East Midlands as a whole has created private sector jobs at a faster rate than any other region in the UK this year, so there are definitely opportunities out there for anyone currently looking for a job."

Phil Chester, marketing director at Nottingham engineering firm The Tew Group, said: "We recruit locally so our first port of call is the local paper because of its contact with the community. We have to focus online, where our audience is."

Paul Co-Head, CEO of Mansfield-based Direct Payments Service Users Limited (DiPSU), said: "As more people are using online recruitment websites it is essential for our organisation to showcase our clients vacancies to ensure we get the best person for their job.

"As part of our commitment as a local charity to Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, the Nottingham Post is key to promoting our county's prospects to all."

Readers can now upload their CV at www.nottinghampost.com/jobs.

THE OWNERS of a rusting Goose Fair ride have been ordered to pay £20,000 after a handrail fell off, hitting a woman and knocking her unconscious.

Sandra Olsewska was rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre on October 6 2012 with cuts and bruising to her eye and head.

The following investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that 28 of the Top Buzz 2 ride's 30 bolts were corroded, cracked or buckled.

Alex Crow Leisure Ltd – owner of the ride – was found guilty of breaching the regulations of the 2008 Health and Safety Offences Act at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Friday November 28.

The firm has also been ordered to pay legal costs of £4,016.

On the day of the hearing, lead magistrate Mr Charter told the court: "We believe that this accident was preventable and it was a consequence of the failing of the company."

The firm issued a statement to the Post which said they had highlighted the problem and strengthened the bolts.

"It was a one-off freak mishap and we send our highest regards to the girl," said Mr Crow.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Walker said:

"The incident was entirely preventable. The corrosion had clearly developed over an extended period of time and Alex Crow Leisure should have spotted this during regular inspections of the ride, particularly when setting it up or taking it down at different locations.

"This would have enabled remedial action to be taken and a member of the public could have been spared a painful injury."

A JURY has ruled the death of an engineer who fell four metres after stepping into a void behind a door was an accident.

Nigel Chester, of Arnold, fell and hit his head on a metal machine used to make gravy granules and OXO cubes at Premier Foods in Worksop last year.

During the two-day inquest, the jury heard evidence from a number of people who had seen Mr Chester, who was 46, testing smoke detectors in the research and development area of the factory.

He had been given a master key and walked through a door which had a sign warning of a four metre drop the other side.

The jury took just over an hour to agree on an accidental death verdict.

Andrew McNamara, assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire, said: "Nigel Chester died at Bassetlaw District General Hospital on May 1, 2013 as a consequence of head injuries sustained following a fall of 4.54 metres above ground level whilst carrying out fire alarm testing at the premises of Premier Foods, Claylands Avenue, Worksop."

"It's fairly obvious what happened, for whatever reason, and we'll never know the reason, he used the key to open the first floor door and fell to his death.

"It looks as though he struck a pipe and then fell to the floor and sustained what turned out to be fatal injuries."

A report on the post mortem, carried out by Professor Guy Rutty, said Mr Chester suffered a number of fractures to his skull.

It said: "There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death."

The inquest heard Premier Foods had made steps to make the door more safe following the accident.

They have since got rid of the master key, put a barrier around the door and extra locks on it.

Simon Antrobus, who represented Premier Foods, said the door had been left the door had been left there without a gantry in case a gantry was needed in the future.

He said: "It was left there to enable flexibility. If the machine had been replaced or moved, the door may have been needed.

"That is my understanding as to why the door is still there."

Dee Welsh, spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive, said they still had an investigation ongoing, but a decision on their next steps would be taken shortly following the result of the inquest.

CALLUM Padgett was worried he wouldn't get a chance to see Father Christmas to tell him he'd like Playstation games for Christmas this year.

The nine-year-old was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2012 and beat the disease a year later. However earlier this year, in February, Callum, of Eastwood, relapsed and found out the tumour, which is now stage four, had spread.

But Saint Nicholas took time out of his busy schedule to stop off at Queen's Medical Centre on Tuesday to deliver hundreds of gifts to those currently spending their time on the hospital's children's cancer ward.

Callum, who says his favourite thing about Christmas is the dinner, received lots of games including Uno, Jenga and an Angry Birds puzzle.

He said: "I love Christmas. I'm happy Santa came to see me today.

"I'm really excited to eat Christmas dinner. I love mashed potatoes the most."

Self-confessed One Direction fan Ellie-Mae Evans, of Mansfield, also received a visit from Mr Claus.

The nine-year-old, who is still waiting for her diagnosis, said: "Santa brought me lots of loombands which is good because I like making them. I've made lots for my family and friends."

Her father Simon Evans, 41, currently has one of Ellie-Mae's creations on his key ring.

He said: "It's been fantastic and it's really lovely for the children. It's a difficult time for them and their parents and it's really cheered the children up."

The idea of playing Santa came from Mark Disney, of Hilton, in Derbyshire, who wanted to thank the ward for looking after his son two years ago.

Aston Bradford-Disney, eight, spent six months on the children's ward in 2012 after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia – an aggressive and rare form of blood cancer.

Mr Disney said: "The staff went that extra mile for us. They were truly amazing throughout the time Aston spent on the ward. It was like a big family.

"The children on the ward were completely inspiring. The things they have to go through are heart-wrenching but how they cope is unbelievable."

Mr Disney was assisted by Nicki Andrews, of West Bridgford, who took on the role of Mrs Claus.

Her son Archie, 11, was in hospital at the same time as Aston and the two families have since become good friends.

She said: "It's important for us to give back. It's a fantastic ward and Christmas is a time of giving."

The pair were assisted by Ms Andrews' two sons Harvey, five, who became Santa's reindeer and Max, nine, who took on the role of an elf.

Both Aston and Archie are now in remission after receiving bone marrow transplants from their brothers.

Aston's brother Dane, 12, saved his life by donating his bone marrow, and Archie's brother Harvey did the same for him.

The gifts were donated by the Me and Dee charity, Boots and friends and family.

ILKESTON'S first half blitz saw them beat Midlands One East local rivals Mansfield 32-5.

Mansfield kicked off up hill and were soon having to defend, Chris Tipton worked hard to turn the ball over and the backs attacked on the right.

Good hands put Jacob Heath in space and he sprinted clear to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to make it 5-0 after eight minutes.

It was all Elks in the early exchanges and they attacked down the right again. Tom Pottinger made a 20 metre break and fed Heath, who sped in for his second try after 13 minutes, extras missed but it was still 10-0.

From a Mansfield penalty Elks kicked to the corner, the line out was caught and driven but Mansfield were penalised again, this time the blind side flanker was sin binned.

Ilkeston opted to scrum and were driving towards the line, the drive was stopped illegally and a penalty try awarded. Jono Falls added the extras to make it 17-0 after just 21 minutes.

The next ten minutes were sloppy as both sides made basic errors around halfway with neither side taking advantage.

The hosts were soon back on the attack through the forwards and camped on the Mansfield line.

Several forward drives led to Matt McGuire squeezing over for the bonus point try after 36 minutes as the lead was stretched to 22-0.

Mansfield refused to give in and launched a series of their own attacks.

They had a line out in the corner and moved the ball left, good handling found space on the right and they scored a minute before the break through Ollie Stanford to make it 22-5.

Elks still had one last attack before half-time and broke well down the left through Jack Partington. The ball was recycled and Tipton carried the move on, he timed his pass perfectly to Heath who completed his hat-trick on the stoke of half-time.

The second half continued to be controlled by Ilkeston, but Mansfield stepped up their game and with the slope advantage forced Elks into mistakes and knock-ons.

Ilkeston finally had a decent attack through a five metre scrum. It was driven forward and Simon Bennett got the vital touchdown on 53 minutes, extras missed making it 32-5.

A combination of improved play from Mansfield and Elks taking their foot of the gas made the final 25 minutes error strewn with neither side carving out any real scoring chances.

The only real incident was a yellow card for Ilkeston's Richard Hutchinson on 78 minutes, although no further scoring followed.

Elks will welcome the bonus point win but the start promised so much more which never really materialised, Tipton and McGuire played well up front but the man of the match goes to Jacob Heath who apart from his hat-trick looked a threat every time he had the ball.

Mansfield will look to bounce back at Syston this weekend.

RAVENSHEAD'S Chris Adcock and his wife Gabby expect a "rollercoaster" week as England's No.1 doubles pairing start their bid for a share of a $1m jackpot at the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals.

The husband-and-wife team will compete in the mixed doubles format, which will pit the eight best pairings over the year in two groups of four.

The pair (pictured) were drawn in Group A along with China's world No.1 pair Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, Korea's Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na and Germany's Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels.

The duo finished third in their group in the BWF finals in Malaysia last year, just failing to reach the semi-finals when they lost their deciding rubber.

But the world No.6 pair are adamant they can go one better at badminton's end-of-year showpiece at the state-of-the-art Hamdan Sports Complex, after finishing their first full year as a partnership.

"It has been a really tough year, but in a great way," said Chris.

"The highlights would have to be winning the Swiss Open against a truly world-class field.

"The Commonwealth Games were then a dream come true for us.

"It is one of those events you grow up watching and it's one we have always wanted to win. It was a special two weeks.

"More recently, reaching the French Open final and the Hong Kong Open semi-final was a good run for us. But winning the Commonwealth gold will be tough to top."

The mixed doubles has a spread of countries competing, with only China fielding two pairs.

Denmark's defending champions, Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen, qualified in seventh place, one place behind the Adcocks.

"If you lose a match you still have a great chance of qualifying so it can be a real rollercoaster," said Chris.

"It will be an interesting week. There has never been a major tournament there before and it will be up to the locals to decide who they want to get behind during the week. It's exciting times."

"We are really looking forward to getting out there and experiencing it," added Gabby.

Zhang and Zhao, the world and Olympic champions, will be favourites to lift the Dubai title, but the Adcocks believe that every pair has a fighting chance of glory when competition gets underway today.

"The mixed doubles hasn't been completely dominated this year," said Chris. "The world number one pair have set themselves apart, but there have been times when they have lost.

"They can be beaten and we have won against them before."

TONIGHT'S EuroMillions rollover is a staggering £31m triple rollover.

If you still have not bought your ticket then fear not; ticket sales for both tonight's and Friday's draw closes at 7.30pm so you still have a chance to become a millionaire.

Ticket sales for the next EuroMillions draw, on Friday, re-open at 9pm.

Tonight's draw takes place in Paris at 8pm.

There will also be one guaranteed millionaire in the UK Millionaire Maker draw.

Three winners on Friday's took home more than £381,000 after matching five numbers and one star number from a UK prize fund exceeding £1.1m

A total of 2,481,910 players also won in the EuroMillions and Millionaire Maker draw from a prize fund of more than £5.3m.

Tonight's results will be published on our website from 8pm.

Have you won big in the EuroMillions? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com or call 0115 905 1951. 

TRAFFIC chaos has hit the city centre after a crash on London Road.

The incident happened around 5pm at the junction of London Road with Cattle Market Road, near the Notts County football ground

Nottingham Travelwise said the crash involved a car and a motorbike and blocked one lane on the A60. 

The scene was cleared at around 5.30pm with all of the lanes re-opened, but traffic was still slow moving around the BBC roundabout, Capital FM Arena and Broadmarsh shopping centre. 

Nottingham City Transport tweeted apologising for delays on a number of its routes, including the 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 34, 48, 77, 78, 79, 79A and C1.

<blockquote lang="en"><p>RTC: A60 London Road at junction with Cattlemarket Road. Car v motorcycle blocking one lane outbound.</p>&mdash; NottinghamTravelwise (@NottmTravelwise) <a href="https://twitter.com/NottmTravelwise/status/544902061868208128">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

TODDLERS cling desperately to their favourite toy, furiously unwilling to let it go even when there are surely more exciting options within their reach.

And so it seems England are doing the same when it comes to Alastair Cook, the beleaguered captain who looks like he should be sent to his (hotel) room and told to think about just what he's done.

Cook has now led England to five out of six one day international series defeats after the tour of Sri Lanka ended in a not unexpected 5-2 loss.

Yet England stick having put so much stock in him when they emphatically sacked Kevin Pietersen earlier this year.

Despite results and the skipper's own dreadful form, Cook looks set to lead his country into the World Cup.

This series has seen him score 119 runs at an average of 19 with a strike rate of 65 and he has not scored an ODI century since 2012.

Most importantly, Cook's continued inclusion not only damages the man himself and the team, it arguably holds back the careers of young men with far more promise on the limited overs front.

At the head of this list are two from Nottinghamshire – Alex Hales and James Taylor.

Hales is the obvious candidate to open alongside Moeen Ali. Two dynamic young players who can deliver the 'go hard or go home' approach needed from the first ball to win games against the best.

Hales, 25, can obliterate attacks as he bats with swagger, but he made seven yesterday and could be forgiven for having his confidence shaken by the management axing him at the start of the tour.

Cook certainly lacks such explosive skill. He went for 32 from 49 balls as England were beaten by 87 runs. They were all out for 215, well short of Sri Lanka's 302 for six with Mahela Jayawardene fittingly taking the last wicket on his final appearance on home soil.

It was not Taylor's day either as he went for two, but he did himself no harm with earlier scores of 90 and 68 having come into the team when Cook was suspended for a slow over rate.

The question has to be asked how Taylor would have got in but for Cook's one match ban. Luckily, Taylor might be small in stature but he's a giant when it comes to mental fortitude.

His efforts in county cricket alone show his toughness.

Not that ECB managing director Paul Downton knows Taylor's attributes, as he is reported to have been surprised by the 24-year-old's performances on the subcontinent.

In a sense that shouldn't matter. It's not as if Downton picks the team? Or does he?

He will sit in on discussions when selectors thrash out their final 15 for the World Cup before it is revealed on Saturday morning.

How can it be that a man who favours Cook to the point of being ridiculous is lurking in the background? Surely the panel, including Notts director of cricket Mick Newell, should be free to decide.

As it is, England look set to stick with Cook with very few winners in a sorry saga, apart from maybe Pietersen and their opponents.

He must be enjoying a wry smile as he was cast aside with full backing given to Cook.

Now that backing seems to have no ends. Cook won't fall on his sword and if he tried Downton would hold him up as the point of the blade jabbed precariously into his skin.

Cook will sleep easy on Friday. The same cannot be said for the five Notts players on the 30 man shortlist. Stuart Broad will go if fit and Taylor has surely done enough.

Hales should based on previous efforts but Harry Gurney and Samit Patel may miss out.

Gurney took one for 60 yesterday, although the one was Jayawardene, and he may be overlooked.

Were you one of tonight's lucky EuroMillions winners?

An estimated £31m was up for grabs during this evening's EuroMillions jackpot draw.

Were you one of the lucky winners?

The winning numbers from tonight's draw were 3, 7, 12, 13, 25 and the Lucky Stars numbers were 5 and 8

An additional £1m was at stake in this evening's UK Millionaire Maker game.

The letters and numbers were Z, G, L , 2, 6, 8, 4, 6, 6.

If you have won big in tonight's draw email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com or call 0115 905 1951.

A MAN on cannabis swerved into four cars after trying to reverse down a narrow road to get away from police, a judge heard.

Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday that officers had been driving along Beaconsfield Street, in Hyson Green, when they saw a Volkswagen Golf moving "quickly towards them".

But the road was too narrow because cars were parked on both sides for the cars to pass each other, so they came head to head, halting to a stop and blocking the way. 

Prosecutor Margaret Martin said that the driver of the Golf, Hassan Ahmed, formerly of Leslie Road, in Forest Fields - but now living in Sherwood - then made hand actions to the police as if to ask them to reverse.

But the officers could not do the manoeuvre because it would have meant backing up into a main road.

Miss Martin said the 20-year-old then "started to reverse his car and accelerate".

He could not drive in a straight line and ended up smashing into four cars.

It was only after the ordeal that he finally came to a stop - but by this point police questioned whether he was unfit to drive.

Miss Martin added: "The defendant was immediately volatile, using foul language and threats. He had dilated pupils and was acting in an aggressive manner."

At the time of the incident, on May 23, Ahmed had been driving a family member's car under a provisional licence.

Speaking in mitigation, solicitor Rory Macmillan said Ahmed had smoked the cannabis to "deal with the stress" of recently being laid off from work.

He said: "Mr Ahmed accepted immediately that he had smoked a couple of joints a couple of hours before. He felt he was ok to drive. He says what happened after was an effect of him panicking.

"He knows what he did and the way he reacted was wrong. He exhibited poor judgment and said it was not a mistake he intends to make in the future.

"He tells me he has not used cannabis since."

Ahmed had already pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs and possessing cannabis at a previous court hearing.

At the sentencing, Deputy District Judge Derek French banned Ahmed for driving for two years, and gave him a 12 months community order, along with a fine of £35. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.

He said: "It is quite obvious that you were not in a position to drive that car safely...as you were trying to reverse, ineptly, at speed.

"You are very fortunate you didn't kill yourself or anyone else driving in that state."

NOTTINGHAM Forest fans have called on the club to make a "positive impact" in the community by giving a £250,000 competition prize to grassroots football.

Reds supporter Shaun Lander won the money for the club in the Sky Bet Transfer Fund competition, but the news came just days after Forest's management were told they were to be given a transfer embargo for over-spending.

The club will not be able to pay any transfer fees from January 1 until the end of the season and look likely to face further sanctions next season.

But the money will not go to waste as the Football League have said it can be spent on players' wages.

Steve Wright, who runs Forest blog Mist Rolling In, said the club should make a gesture and use the money to help struggling grassroots teams.

"After the transfer embargo there's a feeling at the moment that Forest are one of the most unpopular clubs in the league which is an unusual situation for us fans who are used to being a popular club," he said.

"It would be nice if they could turn it into a positive and do something useful with the money. We've got struggling clubs in Nottinghamshire and it would be nice if they could pass it down. It would be good to make it have a positive impact on the game."

And Daniel Storey, who lives in Ruddington and is a freelance football journalist, said: "We spent millions of pounds on players on the summer so to give us more is ridiculous.

"The ideal scenarios would be to give it to Nottingham Forest Ladies Football Club or use it to subsidise something fans wise like away season ticket holders getting games free or discount on certain games or something.

"Nottingham was named as the City of Football so if they topped up the money given to local sport with that funding that would be great. That would be a goodwill gesture."

Reds fan Shaun Lander was picked out of the hat and beat 70,000 supporters who entered the competition to the prize as well as £5,000 for himself.

The prize draw was made by Sky Sports News presenters Jim White and Natalie Sawyer yesterday.

Mr Lander said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I didn't think I'd win at all. It's a fantastic treat to have just before Christmas and I'm so happy I can help the club I love.

"Forest will be able to use the funds on paying for loan players' wages in January, and I hope whoever they bring in will help our promotion push."

Forest are one of only three Championship clubs – as well as Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United – to fall foul of the Financial Fair Play rules which limit the amount a club can spend beyond it's means.

Forest supporter Nick Miller, who runs the Reds blog In The Top One, said: "The obvious irony is that this comes a day after Forest were given a transfer embargo, which was handed down in the first place for overspending. In this particular situation, perhaps the last thing Forest need is to be encouraged to spend more money."

Nottingham Forest declined to comment.

STUNG by late goals in their last two games, it was an early one which cost Mansfield Town.

Ten minutes were on the clock when Sullay Kaikai found the net for Cambridge United. And despite some positive play and good openings for the Stags, it proved enough to see the visitors through to the third round of the FA Cup.

Adopting a 3-4-3 formation, boss Murray rung the changes once again for the second round replay – five in total from the side which started Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Town.

With Dimitar Evtimov, Kieron Freeman and Junior Brown all cup-tied by their respective parent clubs, Sascha Studer, Rob Taylor and Lee Beevers came into the starting line-up.

And Rakish Bingham and Ollie Palmer made up a three-pronged attack alongside Vadaine Oliver as Reggie Lambe and Fergus Bell dropped to the bench.

It was a system which worked well in the opening stages as the hosts pressed and probed from the off.

Within 35 seconds of kick-off, Oliver had drawn keeper Chris Dunn into action with a header from point-blank range following Bingham's floated cross.

And a superb lofted ball from Simon Heslop almost set the latter free shortly after, only for some quick-thinking from the Cambridge defence to intervene.

As exciting as they were going forward though, Murray's preference for passing football also left his team exposed at the back as, too often, they tried to play their way out of trouble.

Studer was left breathing a sigh of relief with four minutes on the clock when he misjudged a Ryan Tafazolli back header and gave Luke Chadwick a glimpse of goal.

However, the midfielder was forced wide and his ball across the face from the right was cleared behind.

If that was a dose of good fortune, the opposite applied on the ten minute mark.

Kaikai's shot from outside the box took a significant deflection off Luke Waterfall, leaving Studer wrong-footed as the ball trickled into the net. A horrible way for Mansfield to fall behind.

To their credit, the Stags immediately tried to get back in the game as Oliver sent a header wide; and they kept plugging away thereafter, creating a handful of decent chances to force an equaliser.

Taylor expertly brought down a long ball and fed Bingham, who couldn't get enough power behind his strike to trouble Dunn, while Richard Tait was on hand to block from Palmer on the half hour.

Keen to replicate his extravagant effort against the Robins at the weekend, Oliver had a go from distance. But this one was distinctly lacking in star quality as his daisy-cutter flashed wide.

There was plenty of effort and entertainment from the home side, just no equaliser to go with it before the break.

And they could have gone further behind as Cambridge always looked dangerous going forward, helped by some nervy moments from the Stags defence.

Heslop took too long on the ball five minutes before the break and was caught in possession, with Chadwick stealing in to set up an attack.

The ball pinged around the penalty area with blue shirt after blue shirt passing up the opportunity to shoot, before Blair finally pulled the trigger – Studer making a decent save to keep the score at 1-0.

It should have been 1-1, had a rasping drive from Chris Clements not taken a deflection, earning only a corner before the whistle went.

The hard luck story continued from the restart as Palmer headed wide from Taylor's cross, but so too, did the uneasiness at the back.

Tafazolli redeemed himself after giving the ball away, sticking out a leg to get in the way of Kwesi Appiah's close-range shot.

And then sloppy play from Waterfall handed substitute Ryan Bird the opportunity to let fly on the edge of the area, with Studer on hand to push the ball away.

Great skill from Lambe almost produced the equaliser with 67 minutes gone, when a great first touch saw him control Clements' ball, only to fire inches wide of the post.

The introduction of Matt Rhead with 20 minutes to go, got the One Call crowd going, and there was a warm round of applause for the introduction of debutant Dan Fletcher.

The teenage striker played his part in a late rally, having a shot blocked within seconds of coming on before almost teeing up Bingham with a cross.

Waterfall thought he'd grabbed the leveller with one minute to go, when he found the net with an overhead kick. The linesman however, put paid to the celebrations with his offside flag and it was the U's who were left celebrating at the final whistle.

Mansfield: Studer; Sutton, Waterfall, Tafazolli, Beevers (Fletcher 81), Clements, Heslop, Taylor, Bingham, Oliver (Rhead 69), Palmer (Lambe 55). Subs not used: Riley, Bell, McGuire, Bishop.

Cambridge: Dunn; Tait, Coulson, Miller, G Taylor, Hughes, Champion, Chadwick (Naylor 74), Blair (Bird 58), Kaikai (B Taylor 67), Appiah. Subs not used: Norris, Simpson, Nelson, Atkinson.

Referee: Carl Boyeson.

Stags man of the match: Rakish Bingham: Along with Vadaine Oliver, looked Mansfield's best bet of finding the net. Caused Cambridge problems with his incessant running and a couple of times almost found himself in on goal. Getting his name on the scoresheet was the only thing missing from an energetic display.

A DYNASTY was continued as Tyler Walker, son of Nottingham Forest legend Des, enjoyed his first taste of glory at the City Ground.

A fine team performance helped the Reds to a 3-2 win over MK Dons and a place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

But it needed extra time – and a fine goal from striker Walker – to finally seal a hard fought victory.

Oliver Burke was denied in the opening seconds, by a smart save from keeper Andrew McCorkell and that set the tone for what was to follow.

Tim Erlandsson was making his second start for the Forest under-18 side, having joined recently from Swedish side Halmstads – and made a number of outstanding saves.

McCorkell was beaten first, in the tenth minute, after a foul on Matthew Cash earned a free-kick right on the edge of the box, which Jack Kelly lashed powerfully through the wall and low into the bottom corner of the net. But, after that, the MK Dons stopper kept Forest at bay.

Walker might have made it 2-0 after neatly controlling a superb cross from Burke on his chest, but lashed over the bar. While a determined run from the lively Gerry McDonagh took him through three challenges and into the box, only for the keeper to save bravely at his feet.

Forest survived a dangerous goal mouth scramble before, shortly after, the visitors levelled, as Kelly scored at the wrong end of the pitch. There was little the full back could do, as he slid in desperately to clear Gedeon Okito's driven cross towards the far post, in the 18th minute.

McCorkell made two outstanding saves in the space of 30 seconds, pushing away a McDonagh shot for corner, before then diving to parry a Frederik Nielson header from the resulting corner. Erlandsson produced heroics of his own at the other end, denying Tshimanga in a one-on-one.

Forest were slightly unfortunate to find themselves behind at the interval, as Ben Tilney drove home a shot from six yards at the far post, to give MK Dons the lead in injury time.

But it was the visitors who pushed again following the restart, with Erlandsson showing his potential with an outstanding save from Giorgio Rasulo. Forest came close as a Luke Thomas header was deflected narrowly wide and, from the corner, Alex Iacovitti's header was saved again by McCorkell.

Joe Worrall and Iacovitti were both booked in the space of a minute, while Cash forced the best out of McCorkell again with a fierce low shot.

Forest did level with seven minutes to play, as Burke fired in a fine ball from the right, to pick out sub Walton, who converted calmly from a few yards out. It was the Reds who then looked likely to win, with Walker denied by a fine save, amid a quick flurry of chances. Although the striker also lifted another good opening over.

In extra time, McDonagh was denied again by the outstanding McCorkell, who saved bravely at his feet. But the keeper was finally beaten in the 111th minute as, from the periphery of the box, Walker smashed an unstoppable finish high into the corner.

Forest: Erlandsson, Worrall, Kelly, Crookes (Karo 110), Nielson (Yates 50), Iacovitti, Burke, Cash, McDonagh, Walker, Thomas (Walton 67). Subs: Dearle, Karo, Worthington.

MK Dons: McCorkell, Daffern, Okito, Hadden, Tingey, Hunt, Vaughan (Owusu 79), Wiltshire (Steele 112), Tshimanga, Rasulo, Tilney. Subs: Wyant, Weston, Brittain.

Referee: Harry Hawkins. Allowed the game to flow and generally did a good job. One of the better referees seen at the City Ground this season.

Man of match: Gerry McDonagh. The striker was one of several Forest players to produce promising performances.

NOTTS County careered off the road to Wembley after Preston North End punctured their hopes of a dream day out in the capital.

Paul Huntington's first-half header was enough to seal the Lilywhites an exciting Northern Area final date with Walsall on a disappointing and hugely frustrating night for the Magpies.

In truth there was very little between the two teams at Meadow Lane where a considerable absence of fortune also proved costly especially when Haydn Hollis hit the crossbar.

Shaun Derry's side were cute in possession, but just lacked a cutting edge against a Preston side who made it six games unbeaten.

Indeed, the Notts boss has taken the Johnstone's Paint Trophy very seriously this season which was underlined by his starting line-up.

Bar injury and suspension, it was the strongest side the Notts boss could field as he deployed a 3-5-2 system using Blair Adams and Curtis Thompson as wing-backs.

With no Jake Cassidy because of a knock, Michael Petrasso and Garry Thompson were the front pairing whom the Magpies were relying on to set-up a date with Walsall in the Northern Area final.

Knowing that three, or even potentially two wins could take them to Wembley, the stakes were now incredibly high and former England striker Alan Smith had urged his team-mates not to leave any regrets on the pitch.

By the way Notts started, it looked as though they had taken that advice on board as they started with energy, drive and purpose.

Within the opening two minutes Petrasso had weaved his way into the box in the hope of manufacturing enough space for himself to have a shot at goal.

He did so superbly, but Huntington made a crucial block to deny the Canadian at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.

Derry would have been pleased with the opening his side had made, but Preston, flying high in League One, soon provided a reminder of their threat.

Josh Brownhill, from all of 30 yards, decided to take aim with a shot which packed enough power to trouble Roy Carroll.

The Northern Ireland goalkeeper was then required to thwart the same player again just moments later with a rather unconventional save with his legs.

Notts' early drive was just beginning to wane which had allowed Preston to gain territory and in the 19th minute they took advantage.

A corner was conceded by Adams despite being under minimal pressure and from Kyel Reid's corner Huntington headed in with Carroll protesting to the referee he was impeded.

The goal was a like a punch to the solar plexus for Notts who took a while to regain their composure, but as the half wore on the threat began to return.

Petrasso tried his best with a fierce drive from the edge of the box, which although from an acute angle, worried a stranded Thorsten Stuckmann.

Stephen McLaughlin then sent a half-volley skimming wide of the post, before a remarkable chain of events denied Derry's side an equaliser.

A corner from McLaughlin was headed onto the bar by Hollis with the rebound falling to Taylor McKenzie whose volley was headed off the line by Huntington.

Notts knew it was all or nothing in the second half if they were to keep their Wembley dream alive.

But they were indebted to their goalkeeper Carroll for keeping it intact when he made a brilliant stop at his near post to deny Reid.

The lack of progress, in terms of creating chances, prompted Derry to make a change on the hour mark with Ronan Murray coming on for McKenzie.

It prompted a tactical switch to 4-4-2 and it immediately began to pay dividends as Murray latched onto a header from Garry Thompson, but pulled it wide of the far post.

But in the 64th minute their best chance was to come when McLaughlin raced through to lob Stuckmann only to see his shot drop an inch wide of the post.

The Kop burst into song in a bid to stoke the embers of the Magpies' attack as they realised there was 20 minutes to keep their Wembley dream alive.

Notts were growing increasingly desperate, but a lack of quality in the final third and the ability to cut Preston open was a real problem.

But they kept on plugging away although it was to no real avail.

Preston were able to see out the final stages with ease as they booked a date with Walsall in the Northern Area final as Notts' Wembley dream died at Meadow Lane.

Notts: Carroll, Adams (Hall 75), Smith, Hollis, Thompson, Jones, McKenzie (Murray 61), C Thompson, Edwards, McLaughlin, Petrasso. Subs: Pilkington, Murray, Traore, Harrad, Hall.

Preston: Stuckmann, Laird, Wiseman, Clarke, Beckford (Humphrey 75), Reid, Little, King, Huntington, Brownhill, Brown. Subs: Jones, Gallagher, Woods, Welsh.

Referee: Nigel Miller: Questionable decision to allow Paul Huntington's goal to stand after Roy Carroll seemed to be impeded. Bit of a bizarre performance as he blew for minor indiscretions but some blatant fouls went unpunished.

Magpies man of the match: Gary Jones. The midfielder worked away with usual drive and his passing was absolutely spot on. An inspiration.

Firefighters have rescued a person following a collision between two vehicles.

The incident took place at 8.35pm on Tuesday, December 16 in Nottingham Road, in Gotham.

Firefighters from East Leake, West Bridgford and a specialist rescue unit from Highfields fire station were sent to the incident.

One person, who was injured following the crash, had left the vehicle by the time the emergency services arrived. However, another person was assisted by the fire service.

Nottinghamshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene. The road was closed at its junction with Farnborough Road after the collision. The police were expected to be in attendance until the early hours. 

HUNDREDS of members of the public gathered for carols and prayers attended by Nottinghamshire's emergency services.

The Joint Emergency Services Carol Service took place this evening at Southwell Minster.

Mary Clayton, 64, has been attending for years and this year came to pay her respect to the members of East Midlands Ambulance Service who helped her family.

Mrs Clayton, from Warsop, said: "In the last year the ambulance service helped my mother-in-law when she was taken seriously ill and although we lost her they were really great to her.

"We always come to the minster for the service at Christmas – my daughter is in the Nottinghamshire Police band.

"It's a really, really special event, especially as it's for the emergency services.

"It's such a beautiful place to set it – it's really superb."

Guests during the evening's ceremony included Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Sir John Peace and Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police Chris Eyre. 

Richard Inwood, the Acting Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, also attended to make an address to the audience and thanked the emergency services.

He said: "Many people in this county and region have cause to be grateful to all of you.

"I want to add my thanks from all those who benefit from what you offer – it is amazing and truly great.

"It is especially truly amazing and wonderful against the background of what you do as your services face reductions in the amount of funds.

"I want to thank you for your dedication to the task, despite these pressures."

Carols included The First Noel, O Little Town of Bethlehem and O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The Bestwood Male Voice Choir were also among the performers.

David Beardsall, a former member of the Notts Fire and Rescue Service for 43 years, said the event gave him a time to reflect on the year being left behind.

He said: "It's a very important event and service and I love the carols.

"It's been a difficult year with all of the political background and all the changes – we've come through it very well."

"This brings us all together with one another in life."