Forest striker Blackstock hopes for an early party

DEXTER Blackstock fired his second goal for Nottingham Forest – and then said he hopes the real party can start tonight.

The 1-1 draw at Blackpool puts Forest four points clear of the drop zone, with Norwich playing tonight against Reading.

And should the Royals inflict a defeat on the Canaries, the Reds are guaranteed Championship safety even before they meet Southampton on the final day of the season on Sunday.

Blackstock said: "I would be lying if I said I did not want to find out the result but then again if it does go to Sunday, we are confident we can win the game.

"We have not got a problem beating Southampton. We feel we can beat anybody at home.

"If Reading do us a favour on Monday, the party starts earlier.

"That is promotion form and since I have come in, we have drawn all three away and won two at home.

"So it does not matter what they [Norwich] do, we have to focus on us and we will be OK."

Blackstock felt Forest were worthy of all three points at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

"We dominated the game and knew if we won we would almost definitely be safe but then again the point could make a real difference," he said.

"In the circumstances, the pitch was the worst I have ever played on and we can be happy. But the pitch is no excuse. We were up for the battle and got a very good point.

"We did not get off to the best start and our goal settled us down. We came out second half and could have won the game."

Blackstock completes his six-match loan from QPR on Sunday and said his long-term future was in the hands of the Loftus Road club.

But he said he had enjoyed his stay on the banks of the Trent and would not rule out coming back.

He added: "I am enjoying it and everything about the club is great – the fan base, ground, training ground and the management staff. It is a massive club."