The BURKS

Peter Vincenti scored from the penalty spot as League One Rochdale knocked Championship outfit Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup at the Spotland.

Dale were awarded the spot-kick after defender Joe Rafferty was tripped by Forest winger Michail Antonio and forward Vincenti duly converted.

The visitors had chances to equalise in the second half but could not find a way past Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis.

Forest have now won just twice in their last 18 games in all competitions.

And a defeat by a team in a division below them in this third-round tie has put further pressure on Forest manager Stuart Pearce.

Pearce said on Monday his players were fortunate that his status among Forest fans was "shielding" them from heavy criticism.

The former Forest captain, 52, is considered a legend at the City Ground, where he spent 12 years as a player.

However, Pearce's side are now without a win in seven games which has put the manager back into the spotlight.

Forest started brightly with Lillis called into action to block a David Vaughan free-kick, but the home side took the lead in the 12th minute and dominated the rest of the half.

Referee Gary Sutton ruled Antonio had fouled Rafferty in the area, and Vincenti slotted the resulting spot-kick past visiting goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and into the corner of the net.

Vincenti, who now has 11 goals in all competitions this season, had a clear chance to double the lead minutes later but volleyed a Callum Camps cross high and wide.

Just before the break, Matt Done seized on an Eric Lichaj error and rounded goalkeeper De Vries who managed to parry the ball away.

Forest had chances in the second half but Chris Burke glanced a headed attempt wide and Britt Assombalonga was denied firstly by a Lillis save and later a block by defender Ashley Eastham.