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Aitor Karanka felt Nottingham Forest should have killed off Stoke City long before the Potters staged a late comeback – but the Reds boss hopes the Carabao Cup has more drama still to deliver for his side.

The Reds finished the game with ten men, following a red card shown to Diogo Goncalves in the 77th minute, for a challenge on Tom Edwards.

But while Stoke took advantage of the extra man as Saido Berahino struck in the 83rd minute to make it 3-2 – following up Benik Afobe’s 60th minute strike for the visitors, Forest held out for the win.

Prior to that, the Reds could have been out of sight, having romped into a 3-0 lead by the 50th minute, via goals from Ben Osborn, Daryl Murphy and Joe Lolley – and failing to convert a host of chances beyond that, with Adam Federici in fine form in the Stoke goal.

And Karanka felt his side should have finished Gary Rowett’s side, long before they did.

“We started the cup with Bury, then we followed that with the Newcastle game and today was the same… but it is true that today we could have scored a fourth or a fifth, before they scored their first,” said Karanka.

“We could have finished the game off. But that is football. You cannot rest. They started to put better players on the pitch and if they play with that intensity every day, they will soon win more games in the league.

“I think we should have killed the game off. We had a chance for Joe, just before he scored the goal, Diogo had a really clear opportunity and, when you do not score your goals and the opposition have players like Ince, Afobe, Bojan and Adam – players with quality – you will have problems always.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“But I am pleased for the team and pleased with the team, for their spirit, for their effort – this is the kind of day when you are really proud of them.”

Karanka refused to complain about the red card shown to Goncalves and said he would reserve his opinion until he has had the opportunity to watch a replay of the incident.

He also said that the angry reaction of the Stoke bench to the challenge was not a factor in the decision by Darren England to show the red card.

“I don’t think so,” said Karanka. “The fourth official said he had seen it clearly, so I have to trust him.

“I do not know, because I have not seen it yet. The fourth official says it was clear. If he saw it and said that, I cannot say anything and I have to accept that.”

Of the three goals, Murphy’s thundering finish stood out – and Karanka was pleased for the 35-year-old.

“I am very, very pleased for Daryl. Now, when he is playing, the atmosphere is completely different. It was tough for him last season because he was not at his best and the crowd was a little bit disappointed with him,” he said.

“But everything has changed a lot. Not his attitude, because his attitude has always been good. But his performances are good and the crowd are supporting him.

“I said always that he is a good option for that position.”

Karanka says he does not mind who Forest get in the fourth round – but just wants to keep delivering positive performances for fans, who he thanked for the support.

“The crowd has been really good for us. We are in the fourth round for the first time in 14 years and we need to keep growing together,” he said.