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Leicester City have qualified for Premier League Cup Round of 16 despite defeat in their final Group Stage fixture.

The young Foxes blew a one-goal lead to suffer a 3-1 defeat to group-leaders Nottingham Forest in Alfreton on Thursday.

The defeat made it three in four games for City, who are now also winless in four outings.

An experienced Forest side, including first-team players Jamie Ward and Liam Bridcutt, deservedly took three points thanks to a goal from the former and two from Brennan Johnson.

Forest came out of the blocks quickly in the first half, almost taking the lead with their first attack of the game.

Jake Taylor connected beautifully with a half-volley on the edge of the box only to be denied by the upright.

(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

The home side continued their dominance but it was the visitors who would take the lead.

A fine move begun when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found Tyrese Shade out wide.

The winger hit the line before delivering a pin-point ball for Admiral Muskwe in the middle.

Muskwe reacted quickly to peel off his man before striking with a powerful first-time effort to beat the keeper.

Both teams would see a player depart due to injury early on with Forest losing Lawrence-Gabriel just before the goal and City losing Louis Ramsay.

But those departures didn't affect the flow of the game and Forest continued their general dominance.

Though, they had to wait until the stroke of half-time to get their reward.

City striker Admiral Muskwe went from hero to zero, retreating to his own box only to trip Forest midfielder Brennan Johnson, who turned his opponent with an excellent first two touches.

A certain penalty and Johnson took the spot-kick himself, stepping up to send Max Bramley in the City goal the wrong way.

A confident finish from the spot and the two teams went in at the break on level terms.

Going into the second half, City replaced key defender Sam Hughes at the break - likely through injury.

And it proved to be a key loss with Forest taking the lead early in the second half.

The ever-dangerous Arvin Appiah did brilliantly to get into a good position before crossing for experienced striker Jamie Ward, who did the rest.

City responded well to going behind with Loft coming close and Layton Ndukwu looking dangerous out wide.

Though, amid difficult conditions with relentless rain, both teams began to struggle to create anything of note heading into the latter stages.

(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

That was until Forest killed the game off with just three minutes remaining when Brennan Johnson beat City keeper Max Bramley to the ball, flicking hope to wrap up the points.

Forest finish top of Group D having won five and drawn one of their six games, while City progress in second, finishing level on points but four goals ahead of Exeter City in third.

The young Foxes now await the draw to discover who they will play in the Round of 16.

In the meantime, they face Manchester City away from home in Premier League 2 on Sunday.

Forest: Wright, Richardson, Spooner, Bridcutt, Lawrence-Gabriel (Coveney 8'), Stewart, Johnson, Taylor, En-Neyah, Appiah (sodeinde 86'), Ward (Hayes 79').

Subs: Bossin, Fornah, Coveney.

City: Bramley, Ramsay (Heaven 18'), Ughelumba, Kaba Sherif, Hughes (Loft 45'), Pascanu, Leshabela, Dewsbury-Hall, Muskwe, Ndukwu, Shade.

Subs: Johansson, Meite, Gyamfi.