Nottingham Forest stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions after comfortably beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at the City Ground, a result which plunges Bolton even deeper into the mire.

Bolton's afternoon was almost over as soon as it began when Wanderers keeper Ben Amos was sent off after he brought down Jamie Ward just 12 minutes into the contest. The resulting spot-kick was dispatched by Nelson Oliveira.

The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later when Oliver Burke headed in a Ward cross, and Forest never looked back, and the rest of the afternoon was comfortable as they had the greater possession and chances.

The final goal was scored by Ward four minutes from time but the match had long been over as a contest. Dougie Freedman's Forest move up to 12th in the Championship, ten points behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth.

Bolton remain rooted to the foot of the table, seven points from safety, but have a significantly worse goal difference than 21st place Rotherham United.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Anthony Yeo identifies three things that we learned from Forest's comfortable victory...

1) Forest hitting form at the right time

Forest are now unbeaten in eleven games, and have started edging closer to the play-offs.

At this time of year, there is normally a team that comes from outside the top six on a run and storms into the end off season party.

Forest could well be that side.

They have put together this run and if they can turn a few more of those draws into wins, they could find themselves in the top six come May. If not this season, then the signs are promising for next season's campaign.

2) Bolton look down and out

Yes they conceded early and went down to ten men in the first quarter of an hour, but the whole demeanour of the team just looked as though they were already resigned to playing League One football next year.

How many times have you seen a team go down to ten men then play better than the full strength side, or at least put up some kind of spirited defiance? Yet there was little fight in the Bolton players at the City Ground yesterday.

On this evidence, Bolton will be in League One next season, but let's just hope that is as far as this proud club fall.

3) Jamie Ward is a fabulous player

Ward ran the show for Forest against Bolton and got his reward for an exquisite display with a well-taken goal, which was his first league goal of the season.

Ward was a constant threat all afternoon. He went close several times before he finally got his goal, four minutes from the end. He hit a left footed drive from outside the box, beating Bolton replacement keeper Paul Rachubka.

If the Northern Ireland man keeps playing in this fashion, he could well find that he and his merry men find themselves in the play-offs.

Forest and Bolton fans... what did you make of the game? Can Forest make a run into the play-offs? Will Bolton Survive? Who should Forest sign to in January? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!