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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

"That was another step, but it is a good step."

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.

"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Average Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Rating 8.6
• #6: Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• #66: Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1