Hereford fightback boosts promotion
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1976 Forest edge Hereford 4–3 in Brian Clough’s promotion-building season.
Nottingham Forest came through a wild Second Division match by beating Hereford United 4-3 at the City Ground.
Hereford struck first through Dixie McNeil and Peter Spiring, leaving Forest two goals down before the fightback began. Barry Butlin pulled one back, Ian Bowyer brought Forest level, John Robertson then put Brian Clough’s side ahead, and Butlin scored again before McNeil made the finish tense.
The match belonged to Forest’s promotion-building 1976-77 season, when Clough’s team were moving towards the First Division after years outside the top flight. A 4-3 home win was not tidy, but it showed resilience and attacking response at a stage when every point mattered.
For supporters, the afternoon offered almost everything: early concern, a comeback, seven goals and a narrow win. Forest eventually earned promotion at the end of the season, and games like the Hereford thriller helped form the story of how that climb was built.
Sources
11v11; London Hearts; Transfermarkt
Forest timeline
Explore more Nottingham Forest history
Browse the timeline to discover more events from this day and beyond:
0–2
3–0
1–1
1–2
4–1
1–0
1–0
2–1
2–0
0–1
0–2
2–2
0–0
1–2
0–1
14:00
16:30
20:00
15:00
17:30
15:00
20:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
16:30
19:30
15:00
19:30
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
16:00
Permanent floodlights changed the feel of the City Ground when Nottingham Forest faced Gillingham in the League Cup. The match gave Forest supporters their…
Nottingham Forest came through a wild Second Division match by beating Hereford United 4-3 at the City Ground. Hereford struck first through Dixie McNeil…