Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman has apologised to fans for the club’s early exit from the 2015/16 Capital One Cup.

Having been drawn at home to League One club Walsall earlier today, Freedman immediately admitted it was disappointing to go out of the competition this way.

Freedman said: “The lads gave it their best shot, but sadly success isn’t on the cards this year.

“I thought we had a chance of going on a good cup run this season, so it’s galling to be knocked out as early as June.

“We hoped to at least make it as far as the first match, but what’s done is done and I can only apologise to the fans for the way things turned out.

“Now we’ve got to pick ourselves up as a squad and concentrate on the league. Thankfully Walsall aren’t in our division this season, so we’ll just hope they don’t knock us out of the FA Cup in January as well.”

Meanwhile Walsall manager Dean Smith is enjoying the adulation of his club’s supporters after guiding his team to this impressive giant-killing.

Smith said: “We always thought we were in with a shot of making the second round, even though everyone else had written us off, so it’s great to be vindicated in this way.

“Being drawn against Nottingham Forest is a wonderful moment for the players and fans alike and once the formality of the match in August is out of the way, we look forward to seeing who we get in the next draw.”

Asked whether he thought luck had played a part in Walsall’s progress, Smith replied: “Of course, but it always does in cup competitions. The important thing is that we’re through and whatever happens for the rest of the season, no one can take this achievement away from us.”

In other news, Nottingham Forest have announced a special anniversary shirt will be released this summer to celebrate 150 years since the club last beat Walsall in any competition at any level. Walsall have already been declared winners of a celebratory tournament to be held in July at the City Ground to mark the occasion.