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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"That was another step, but it is a positive one."

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Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.

His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.

This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."

Star Performer

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• #6: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09