A fine Samuel Lusale appeared to put Manchester United Under-21s on course for victory against Nottingham Forest before they crashed 3-2.
It was a frustrating game in Premier League 2 with Dan Armer also on target with a first-half penalty.
But Fuad Ayorinde Smith’s second goal of the night brought Forest level from the spot before substitute Shakur Samuels struck the winner 11 minutes from full-time.
The defeat was a disappointing return to action for United, who had not played since beating Brentford 3-2 in mid-September.
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United dominated possession during a subdued opening, with Jim Thwaites going close twice from free-kicks and Enzo Kana Biyik heading into the side-netting from a corner.
But it was Forest who struck first in the 21st minute. Cameron Byrne-Hughes produced an impressive save to deny Jayden Powell’s header from a corner, only for Smith to react quickest and finish from close range.
United struggled to turn their possession into clear chances as Forest grew in confidence.
Amir Ibragimov fired over on the volley, while Lusale and Yuel Helafu offered attacking promise without finding a breakthrough.
The equaliser finally arrived in first-half stoppage time. Lusale drove into the penalty area and beat Kristian Clarke with a clever run before being brought down near the byline.
Captain Armer took responsibility from the spot and confidently drove his penalty straight down the middle.
United carried that momentum into the second half and took the lead in style on 56 minutes.
Ibragimov helped win possession back before Jaume Camacho Sidos picked out Lusale with a precise pass.
The forward advanced towards the box, cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a superb strike into the bottom-left corner.
It was a moment of quality that appeared to put United in control, but the game turned again after the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute.
Thwaites was penalised for a challenge on Samuels, who had recently come off the bench. Smith converted his first attempt, finding the corner via the post, but was ordered to retake it because the referee had not yet blown the whistle.
The Forest forward kept his composure to score again, this time finding the opposite corner to level the contest at 2-2.
United were unable to regain their advantage, and Forest completed the turnaround nine minutes later.
Smith turned provider, slipping a pass through for Samuels to break beyond the defence and fire towards goal. Byrne-Hughes got a hand to the effort but could not prevent it from crossing the line.
The Reds pushed for a late equaliser, with Jaydan Kamason appealing for a penalty after attempting to reach a Diego Leon cross.
Thwaites also came agonisingly close with a curling free-kick from around 30 yards in stoppage time.
But United could not find another way through, leaving the East Midlands empty-handed after twice taking the lead.
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