Leicester City went down 2-1 to near neighbours Nottingham Forest in the opening game of their Pontin's Central League campaign at the Marston's Stadium on Monday evening.

Ricky Sapplton grabbed the only goal for the Foxes on the night - the butch forward reacting quickly to prod home from close rage in the 35th minute of the contest.

City fielded a squad containing a mixture of youth and experience for the local derby clash - with Jimmy Nielsen, Alan Maybury, Matty Fryatt and Richard Stearman all named in the starting line up.

The first effort of the evening came in the third minute. Levi Porter swung in a corner from the left, but Andy King was unbalanced and his volley fell wide of the target.

Fryatt was released through on goal by Eric Odhiambo five minutes later, but his effort from 12 yards was well blocked by James Perch.

The Foxes came close again a minute later - Ricky Sappleton just failing to guide home a glancing header from a Levi Porter cross.

Forest's first effort on goal came in the 12th minute - Felix Bastians crashing the ball against the bar from a free-kick just outside the City area.

Bastians wasn't far off again four minutes later - his header from 12 yards rebounding off Nielsen's left-hand upright.

Sergio Hellings tried his luck from range with 18 minutes on the clock, but his shot from 25-yards fell just wide of the target.

Mark Bryne smashed in a fierce volley from 25 yards in the 23rd minutes, but Nielsen was up to the task in the City goal and made a comfortable save.

The Foxes took the lead 12 minutes later. Forest goalkeeper Shane Redmond was unable to hold on to a rasping Joe Mattock long-range drive, and Sappleton was there to fire home the rebound.

Bastians hit the woodwork for the third time moments later - his curling shot clipping the outside of Nielsen's left-hand upright.

A free-flowing move almost brought City a second in the 39th minutes. Fryatt's cross from the left was met by Sappleton on the far post, but Tom Sharpe was there to make a last ditch block for the visitors.

Nielsen was forced into action in the last minute of the half- getting down well to block Emile Sinclair's effort.

City made a double change on 58 minutes - Billy McKay and Ryan Beswick replacing Porter and goalscorer Sappleton.

Forest equalised with 75 minutes on the clock. Matthew Thornhill picked up the ball on the edge of the City area and without breaking stride hit a well struck first time drive past the diving Nielsen.

Mattock came close to regaining the lead for the Foxes three minutes later, but his low drive was smothered by Redmond. 

The visitors grabbed the winner with five minutes of the game remaining - Bryne scoring from a clever lob after the Leicester defence had only half cleared.

CLICK HERE to watch highlights from the game on Leicester City World

City: Nielsen, Maybury, Mattock, Hellings, Stearman, Rowe-Turner, Odhiambo, King (Magunda 83), Sappleton (McKay 58), Fryatt, Porter (Beswick 58).
Subs not used: Cisak, Garner.

Forest: Redmond, Perch, Heath, Power, Bencherif, Sharpe, Byrne (Treacy90), Thornhill, Sinclair (Fairclough 52), Salem (Brown 87), Bastians.
Subs not used: Roberts, Green.
Yellow: Power

Att: 547