Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town: Ramon Sosa scores and sets up a goal for success in the third round

The Forest side, which made 11 changes from Monday’s win at Wolves, quickly got going at the City Ground and it took a diving block from Luton defender Mark McGuinness to deny Jota an early opener.

Awoniyi should have done better after the Portuguese midfielder’s break in the first half, but the Hatters gradually began to gain a foothold before creating a chance or two of their own.

Summer signing Miguel had plenty to do in his second Forest appearance, fending off Walsh’s evasive 20-yard drive for a corner before saving from the feet of Jones – who only moved to Luton from Middlesbrough on Friday.

But Yates’ well-placed header gave Forest the opportunity to claim a hard-fought victory and hand the Championship strugglers an 11th consecutive away defeat.

Although the hosts only missed three shots on goal and the guests six, they took advantage of their chances and gave themselves a breathing space with Sosa’s close-range finish in the middle of the second third.

However, one of the biggest cheers of the night went to second-half substitute Danilo, as the Brazilian midfielder made his first appearance since breaking his ankle in Forest’s opening game against Bournemouth.

Nuno’s side return to action on Tuesday when leaders Liverpool visit the City Ground in a key game at the top of the Premier League.

Luton, in turn, welcome Preston to Kenilworth Road next Saturday and will be looking to extend their current two-point lead into the bottom three of the Championship.