Mark Wotte resisted the opportunity to blood more youngsters for next season, picking a familiar line-up with all too familiar results.
Surman was again at left back, alongside Saeijs and Perry with the much improved Lloyd James on the right. Schneiderlin was given another chance to underwhelm in central midfield alongside Gillett, with Lallana and Wright-Phillips on the flanks.
Euell was the target man with McGoldrick lively in a supporting role.
First half - promising
Despite having nothing to play for Saints started looking like a team with a point to prove, with Euell striking the upright in the first minute and Lallana setting up Wright-Phillips for a rare, if fortunate, converted one-on-one chance.
Instead it was a no doubt relieved Forest that were going through the motions until they realised just how porous the Saints defence can be. Earnshaw had three chances in as many minutes, but fortunately only troubled Davis with one shot.
Saints were looking promising in attack with some neat passing moves that were let down by a lack of cutting edge.
Second half - typical
Forest emerged much brighter after the break no doubt galvanised by a roasting from manager Billy Davies. Saints continued to look lively in possession, but again without looking like scoring.
The vocal and long suffering set of Saints fans of course knew exactly what was coming. When Saints are unable to find a second goal, it seems only a matter of time until they concede an equaliser. And so they did and more.
The goal itself was another excellent finish by Garner chipping Davis from distance as he did at St Mary's. The Saints defence never learn it seems.
It was an injury to Saeijs that led to a collapse at the back illustrating just how valuable a player he has become. A simple header from a corner made it 2-1 as Saints went to pieces at the back chasing the game with Earnshaw converting a rebound to make it three with the Saints defence nowhere.
The depressingly familiar sight was only made more bearable by the excellent set of Saints' fans cheering themselves up by celebrating the Forest goals. How much more enjoyable a season it would have been had we done so all season.
On the Cross verdict
With only pride to play for, it seems this Saints team cannot even hold onto that with another frankly embarrasing collapse after a bright start. Too many of that team failed to apply themselves for the full ninety minutes as all too often this season.
Even without the burden of minus ten points, it is impossible to see Saints bouncing back without major changes. The youngsters are steadily improving and it has been one of the few bright spots to see McGoldrick and James coming through difficult times and Gobern and McGlaggon hinting at better times to come.
However, as this season has all too starkly illustrated, the youngsters cannot sustain performances throughout a season and need committed, experienced and quality players alongside them to pull them through. Attracting them in League One, even if a miracle happens and we get a wealthy buyer coming in, is going to be very difficult.
The only silver lining at this terrible time has been the fans rallying round in their thousands to help keep the club afloat. With the thread of liquidation hanging over us, I just hope we've finally hit rock bottom and can build again under new owners next season.
To our fans supporting our underperforming players to the end, I want to end with a quote from the film Jerry Maguire that I hope you will be able to relate to: "You don't know what it's like to be ME out here for YOU. It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege that I will never fully tell you about, OK?"
And so to the new owners: 'Show me the money!'