Davies takes pride in FA Cup exit

Forest boss Davies guided Derby to the Premier League in 2007

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies heaped praise on his players for their display in the 3-2 defeat against Derby County in the FA Cup fourth round.

Forest were 2-0 up inside 15 minutes thanks to goals from Chris Cohen and Nathan Tyson but were pegged back.

Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I've got nothing but pride in young players. They've worked their socks off.

"They played against a side who had a bit more know-how than us, and a vast amount of experience."

He added: "The bottom line is that we're playing against a club that's come down from the Premier League and we're a club that's come up from League One.

"There's such a lot of work to be done here and a lot of time to be spent before we can get to the level of Derby.

"But in the end, I can't thank them enough for the effort they put in (tonight)."

Davies has always insisted that Championship survival is the priority for Forest, who currently sit three points clear of the relegation zone.

"Staying in the Championship this season is the key," he said.

"It would have been nice to go through in the Cup, but the Championship's the main priority for us and we'll now concentrate on the matches remaining.

"We're a club that's very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, looking forward to the rebuilding that we have to do, and looking forward to the big picture and the plan we've got for the months ahead."