Perch's promise to Forest fans

NOTTINGHAM Forest skipper James Perch has promised the fans the players will win the battle against relegation.

The Reds slipped further into trouble after a humiliating 3-1 defeat against local rivals Derby County on Saturday. But Perch said they would do everything in their power to avoid a drop into League One.

He said: "Nobody wants to see us back there, nobody connected with Nottingham Forest and we have to battle now to make sure we don't.

"We have to roll our sleeves up and give everything now. I would say to the fans keep coming, we will keep giving 100% and we will get out of this mess we are in."

But Perch found it hard to accept being beaten on home soil by the Rams. "It is terrible for us, the fans and everyone connected with Nottingham Forest," he said.

"It is hard to swallow and coming from round here and getting beaten by our local rivals is terrible.

"After their opening goal we thought we put wave after wave together in attack and wanted to carry it on in the second half and maybe get something. But two minutes after half-time we conceded another goal. It was a bitter blow."