TOMMY Miller won the psychological battle with Forest keeper Darren Ward but ended up losing the war for play-off points.Miller admitted to being as surprised as anyone when referee Howard Webb ordered his missed penalty to be retaken and the nerves instantly started to bite.

TOMMY Miller won the psychological battle with Forest keeper Darren Ward but ended up losing the war for play-off points, writes Derek Davis.

Miller admitted to being as surprised as anyone when referee Howard Webb ordered his missed penalty to be retaken and the nerves instantly started to bite.

He said: "We were all waiting for a free kick after Pablo had been booked so we were amazed when he called us back.

"I had not seen if the keeper had moved as I was focusing on where to put the kick but I have seen it since and he might have edged forward a bit but it might have been a bit hard on him.

"Then it starting getting nerve-racking as the Forest players protested. The keeper was pointing to where I had put it before and one of their lads came up and said 'don't put it in the same place' but I kept calm and just concentrated on hitting it right and he went the wrong way."

Miller's joy was short-lived as Forest hit back immediately, pouncing on a Richard Naylor mistake to score through substitute John Thompson. Marlon Harewood hit a soft equaliser past Andy Marshall, who also made some superb saves, and Naylor capped a woeful day by deflecting in a Thompson shot to give Forest a 3-2 half-time lead.

Miller said; "We were shell-shocked at the way they came back at us. There was quite a delay with the penalty incident and we seemed to switch off. Then we gave away sloppy goals and the next thing we are behind."

Marcus Bent equalised after another great ball from Jim Magilton but all was in vain when he lost Harewood at a free kick and the former Town loanee headed in the Forest winner.

Miller said: "They were by far the best strike force we have come up against this season but we weren't happy at the goals we conceded.

"You can't just blame the back line, we all didn't defend properly as a team and we got punished.

"We did create plenty of chances and when you have scored three at home you should win."

Miller's double took his season's tally to eight with three goals in two games.

He said: "I have not been happy with the amount of goals I have scored and have tried to get forward more. I was a bit fortunate with the one last week but got in the area for the first against Forest.

"I had been doing that and scoring in training during the week and quite fancied myself at 16-1 to score the first goal. I can't have a bet but I think a few people had a few pennies on me."