Nottingham Forest needed penalties to overcome third-tier side Exeter in an FA Cup nail-biter.

High-flying Forest, who are third in England's Premier League standings, won 4-2 in a shootout at St James Park on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) after the game ended 2-2.

Josh Magennis gave Exeter the lead in the fifth minute, but Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi put Forest ahead at halftime.

Magennis levelled the game five minutes after the break, and Exeter went down to 10 men when Ed Turns was sent off in the 87th minute.

But Forest couldn't find a winner in extra time, meaning the game went to spot kicks, with Neco Williams scoring the winning penalty.

Forest play Ipswich in the fifth round.