Nottingham Forest’s profligacy was punished late on by FC Midtjylland as Vitor Pereira’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie in treacherous conditions at the City Ground.
Substitute Guesung Cho capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Forest defender Ola Aina to head in the winner for Midtjylland with 10 minutes to go on a rain-soaked night by the River Trent. The home side, now winless in five, had 22 shots yet failed to score.
Ticket prices were slashed for Forest fans in the hope of filling out the stadium and improving the atmosphere but those that made the trip endured another frustrating night watching their team flounder in front of goal in the wet and windy weather.
Star man Elliot Anderson, who scored twice in last week's draw at Manchester City, tried to overcome the conditions, coming close to setting up Morgan Gibbs-White, before seeing his own tame effort saved in an impressive second half, but could not find the cutting edge.
Forest had countless opportunities to go in front, seeing former Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing clear the ball off the line for Midtjylland, but lacked the quality to find the breakthrough.
Pereira's side have a mountain to climb in the second leg in Denmark next week if they are to progress to the quarter-finals. Attentions, however, will quickly turn to Sunday's crucial Premier League game against Fulham - live on Sky Sports - and their fight for survival.
More to follow...
When are the knockout stages?
Round of 16 second legs: March 19
Quarter-finals: April 9 and 16
Semi-finals: April 30 and May 7
Final: May 20 [Besiktas Stadium, Istanbul]