Anton Stach leaves it late to fire Leeds to rare victory at Nottingham Forest

Anton Stach’s late free-kick saw Leeds kick off their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

Stach curled in from the edge of the area in the 88th minute as Daniel Farke’s men recorded their first victory at the City Ground since 1972.

It was a smash-and-grab win from the Yorkshire club, who had seen Forest miss a number of chances to go in front, with Nikola Milenkovic hitting a post and Igor Jesus wasting two headers.

Forest have ambitions of a top-half finish this season under new boss Oliver Glasner, but it was all very reminiscent of last term.

There were no new signings in the starting XI and the failure to put the ball in the back of the net was costly.

Leeds, who are also looking to be upwardly mobile after last season’s flirtation with relegation, got the upper hand ahead of Tuesday’s rematch in the Carabao Cup.

After a dull opening, Forest almost took the lead in the 16th minute.

Igor Jesus got to Ola Aina’s long throw, but James Trafford was equal to the header, making a stretching save.

The hosts then had their hearts in their mouths when Aina’s tackle on James Justin survived a VAR check for serious foul play.

The officials were again on Forest’s side soon after in the 25th minute when Harry Wilson tucked home, but he was correctly ruled offside.

The hosts began to take control and came even closer to taking the lead in the 40th minute.

James McAtee’s delivery was perfect for Milenkovic, whose glancing header hit a post and Jesus was unable to convert the rebound.

Forest continued to cause trouble with balls into the box and Igor Jesus got his header all wrong from another Aina cross, heading down and over from close range early after the resumption.

Chris Wood came off the bench and