REFEREE Alan Wilkie was at the centre of spot kick controversy for the second time in four days last night as Bryan Roy kept his nerve to sink Leeds and extend their City Ground hoodoo.

The official was the man who took his linesman's word before giving Dwight Yorke the chance to shoot Aston Villa past Sheffield United on Sunday. And last night, Wilkie did exactly the same as under strength Leeds missing seven men through suspension and international duty were undone within two minutes of dragging themselves back on terms.

Carlton Palmer had just taken advantage of some shocking Forest defending to lash home from close range and cancel out Kevin Campbell's first half opener his fourth goal of the season.

But then Roy galloped down the left after being fed by David Phillips and when he crossed Palmer, under pressure, cleared. The referee was some way behind play but linesman Paul Vosper to Palmer's astonishment and anger flagged for handball.

Wilkie pointed to the spot Roy did the rest for his seventh of the season and while Leeds put the home defence under all sorts of late pressure, they could not stop Forest taking their unbeaten home streak to 25 games and extending their own winless run at the City Ground to 25 years.

While Leeds' absentees included the vital name of Tony Yeboah, they at least had Tony Dorigo and Richard Job son back after injury to bolster their back line.

Forest, already forced to plan without Stuart Pearce, were also deprived of Steve Stone for the first time this season Italian Andrea Silenzi coming in for only his second Premiership start.

But the former Tori no man settled well alongside Campbell and Roy, providing an early cross that Campbell headed weakly at Mark Beeney.

Gary Kelly was called into action in earnest in the 38th minute, but the Irishman was found wanting. Scot Gemmill carried the ball before feeding Campbell just outside the box and Kelly, perhaps mindful of his Anfield red card to days ago, allowed the former Arsenal man to drift inside him.

It was an error exploited to the full, Campbell making it third time lucky by taking a step into the area before unleashing a left footer that rocketed into the top corner.

The Leeds goal was a disaster" for the Forest defence as they, twice failed to deal with Gary. McAllister's right wing corner and when the ball dropped, Palmer could not believe the space he had to rifle home his third goal of the season.

But within two minutes, the former England man went from hero to adjudged villain.