By Michelle Wilson of the Nottingham Evening PostForest Web Site

PAUL Hart insists he is not losing sleep over his strikers' performances.

David Johnson and Jack Lester each missed a gilt-edged chance as Nottingham Forest tumbled out of the third round of the Worthington Cup.

The 1-0 defeat at Bolton saw the duo paired together as Stern John was away on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Reds boss Hart said: "I can't say it is keeping me awake at night because we are getting into situations where we can score.

"If we were not creating chances I would be worried, but apart from during two games this season, we have been."

Lester, on his 26th birthday, missed a great chance to equalise eight minutes from the final whistle.

But Hart said: "How often do you see Jack Lester miss? As long as he keeps getting into those positions, he's going to score more often than he misses. No one puts the ball over the bar on purpose.

"I thought after the first 20 minutes. We dominated the game and we had the best two chances of the night."

Forest's defending let them down when Bolton scored from a set piece after three minutes.

Hart was forced to re-jig his side due to injuries to Gareth Williams, Jermaine Jenas and Chris Doig.

Alan Rogers made his first start this season following a cruciate ligament injury last December on the left of midfield and Andy Gray made his second start of the season on the right.

"We had three players out - three very good young players - and we probably took a little while to get our shape," Hart added.

"It was Alan Rogers' first game back for nearly a year and I thought he did really well to last as long as he did.

"We're very pleased to see him back on the pitch because it was a nasty injury he sustained. It is difficult to get to grips with the pace because it is different to reserve team football but having said that he can take a lot of credit from his performance."

Forest had a second-half penalty appeal turned down by referee Mike Dean after Lester fell to the ground following a challenge.

Hart said: "It was very difficult for me to see. Jack and Alan Rogers said it was a penalty and they have no need to make it up. I would take their word for it.

"We're trying to get out of the habit of reacting fiercely to things which don't go well for us.