CHERRIES survived playing the final half an hour with 10 men to hold off Nottingham Forest and record their first Championship win of the season.

Making their first away trip in 525 days, the Cherries fans saw their side take the lead through David Brooks’s composed first-half finish.

Scott McKenna equalised early in the second period, only for Philip Billing to restore the advantage.

However, Cherries were put on the back foot when Brooks was shown the first red card of his senior career, after two bookable offences.

Despite the setback, Scott Parker’s troops held firm to come away with a 2-1 victory from the City Ground.

Cherries made one change to the side which drew against West Bromwich Albion to start the Championship campaign.

Their already depleted squad was dealt another blow with the news Adam Smith had to withdraw due to illness, meaning a first Championship appearance for 20-year-old Zeno Ibsen Rossi, as Chris Mepham shifted over to right-back. Summer recruit Leif Davis was named among the substitutes for the first time.

Remarkably, of the XI that started for Cherries in this fixture in February of last season, none were involved this time around, having either left the club or been unavailable.

Forest named former Cherries striker Lyle Taylor among their starting XI, while Lewis Grabban was among the substitutes.

And the hosts camped in Cherries’ half in the early stages with a string of set pieces, but the visitors held firm.

The first time either goalkeeper was tested came on 18 minutes. Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura combined down the left, before the latter crossed low for Philip Billing. The Dane tried his luck from a tight angle, but Brice Samba was alert to tip over the crossbar.

Dominic Solanke then saw a shot blocked as the early enthusiasm from the home crowd died down, even more so when Cherries broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. Brooks played the ball in to Solanke, who held it well before slipping in the marauding Welshman. Brooks composed himself before smartly stabbing across goal and past Samba right-footed.

Back came Forest with Joe Lolley’s deflected effort held by Travers, before Brooks fired wide at the other end.

The hosts ended the half strongly and looked to have equalised. After Gavin Kilkenny was dispossessed in the centre circle, Forest broke forwards with Ryan Yates letting fly from around 25 yards. But, fortunately for Cherries, the captain’s effort struck the inside of the post before rolling to safety.

Taylor then tested Travers, the Irishman parrying away the fierce shot from an acute angle as Cherries went into the break 1-0 up.

But Forest were quickly on level terms after the restart. Philip Zinckernagel curled a wide free-kick into the box for centre-back McKenna, who rose highest to head past Travers and into the bottom corner.

However, Cherries were soon back in front. Anthony was involved again to slide a ball through for Billing to slam in and continue his record of scoring in every game so far this season.

But disaster struck for the visitors minutes later as Brooks was given his marching orders, receiving a second yellow card for hauling back Forest left-back Jordi Osei-Tutu.

Forest sensed blood with Zinckernagel’s effort held by Travers, before they turned to their bench to introduce winger Alex Mighten.

Cherries soon had the ball in the net, Anthony rounding off a scintillating move, only to be denied by an offside flag.

Chris Hughton threw on Grabban for the closing stages, who hit the crossbar within seconds of coming on, only for a flag to also bring that attack to a halt.

Parker also turned to his bench, Davis making a debut as Emiliano Marcondes was replaced, as Cherries switched to a back five.

The Leeds loanee almost provided an assist within minutes of coming on, his low cross just evading Solanke in the centre.

Zinckernagel had one final go for Forest, but Travers got down to parry the shot away, before Mepham intervened to deny Grabban at the death.

Cherries: Travers; Mepham, Ibsen Rossi, Kelly, Zemura; Kilkenny, Marcondes (Davis, 81), Billing; Brooks, Anthony, Solanke (Saydee, 90+2).

Unused subs: Camp, K Taylor, Moriah-Welsh, Glover, Dennis (g/k).

Booked: Mepham, Brooks x2.

Sent off: Brooks.

Forest: Samba; Gabriel, Figueiredo, McKenna, Osei-Tutu; Yates, Colback (Carvalho, 84); Lolley (Mighten, 68), Johnson, Zinckernagel; L Taylor (Grabban, 76).

Unused subs: Cafu, Fornah, Back, Horvath (g/k).

Booked: Colback, McKenna.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.