Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Doncaster Rovers 1 (Mandeville 69')
Nottingham Forest 2 (Vaughan 10', Ward 90+1)
EFL Cup Round 1
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Jamie Ward's late strike ensured Doncaster Rovers' EFL Cup journey came to an end in the first round.
Darren Ferguson made four changes to his starting line-up as Doncaster Rovers welcomed EFL Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest to the Keepmoat Stadium, with Marko Marosi, Joe Wright, Tyler Garratt and Harry Middleton all coming into the side.
Doncaster got off to a good start and could have been in front inside three minutes, Matty Blair made a good run down the right wing before pulling the ball back for Tommy Rowe, but he could only scuff his shot wide.
It was Forest who took the lead though with their first real opportunity in the match, Jamie Ward whipped in a free-kick and Rovers could only clear as far as David Vaughan who hit a super half volley from the edge of the box into the top left corner, giving Marosi no chance.
Former Everton forward Apostolos Vellios forced Marosi into a good save with a strike from range, he was set up by Oliver Burke on the edge of the box, but the Rovers stopper was equal to his low effort.
Rovers had a great chance to equalise just after the half an hour mark, Andy Williams, Rowe and John Marquis combined superbly to enter the Nottingham penalty area, but the latter could only fire over the crossbar.
Half Time: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Former Rovers defender Matt Mills went close to extending Forest's lead after the break. Ward won a free-kick on the left flank, but Mills could only guide his header over the crossbar.
After that chance the game really opened up, Forest goalkeeper Stephen Henderson flapped at a Garratt free-kick into the box, Williams headed towards goal but he couldn't get enough power behind the effort and Nottingham cleared their lines.
At the other end Ward again continued to cause problems on the wing, he crossed for Vellios and his header only just went narrowly wide of Marosi's left post.
Rovers went came close to levelling the scores just before the 70 minute mark, substitute Liam Mandeville showed great desire driving the ball forward, the ball fell to Marquis who was denied by a fantastic save from Henderson and Forest managed to clear for a corner.
The Championship side couldn't keep Rovers out from the set piece though, Niall Mason's header was blocked on the line and 19 year-old Mandeville prodded home the rebound to score his second professional goal for the club.
Forest hit back though to book their place in the second round in the first minute of added time, Jamie Paterson fed Ward who had been troublesome for Rovers all night and he fired home into the bottom right corner.
Full Time: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Rovers: Marosi, Blair, Wright, Butler (Calder 46'), Mason, Houghton, Garratt, Middleton (Mandeville 62'), Rowe, Williams, Marquis.
Rovers Unused Subs: Etheridge, Lund, Evina, Coppinger, Beestin.
Forest: Henderson, Lichaj, Mills, Traore, Cohen (Kasami 67'), Ward (Veldwijk 90+3'), Paterson, Vaughan, Perquis, Burke, Vellios.
Forest Unused Subs: Mancienne, Lansbury, Osborn, Lacovitti, Smith
Cautions: Vellios (53'), Ward (68').
Attendance: 5,160 (2,283 away)