A LEE Martin brace helped Nottingham Forest's reserves to victory at Port Vale this afternoon as they preserved their unbeaten start to the season.

The Manchester United loanee doubled the lead on the stroke of half time after Danny Edwards had earlier scored an own goal before wrapping it up with his second in the 89th minute.

It led to a comfortable 3-0 victory as Forest made it four wins and two draws in the Totesport.com Central Division.

Forest survived a shaky start, Scott Brown forcing a save from Paul Smith within ten seconds before Anthony Malbon saw a fierce strike rebound back off the inside of the upright.

The Reds began to find their usual pattern and carved out chances with Garath McCleary, Lee Martin and Adam Newbold all forcing good saves from Chris Martin.

The breakthrough came on 30 minutes through a stroke of good fortune.

Newbold raced onto a James Dunne through ball but as he pulled his shot wide of the far post, Edwards, sliding in, inadvertently turned it into his own net.

Martin finally got on the score sheet in the last minute of the first half, turning and then driving his shot into the bottom corner.

Mark Byrne went close from a free kick in the second period while Newbold headed inches over from McCleary's corner as the Reds ran out comfortable winners.

And Martin finished it off in the 89th minute, thrashing a shot into the top corner from inside the box.

For full report, see Tuesday's Evening Post

Port Vale: C Martin, Edwards, Taylor, Dixon, Elwell (Copeland, 75), Prosser, Malbon, Brown, Glover, Thompson (Lokonga, 82), Pike (Bell, 79). Subs: Weston, Siribour.

Forest: Smith, Tait, Reid, Byrne, Bencherif, Lynch (Mitchell, 71), McCleary (Whitehurst, 58), Dunne, Newbold, Davies (Darnet, 85), Martin. Subs: Richardson, Hook.