Lynch joined Nottingham Forest on loan in September 2008. After five appearances, the following month this loan spell was extended until 28 December, then the loan deal was further extended to keep Lynch at the City Ground for the remainder of the season. Forest paid the player's contractual wages and paid Brighton a fee of £25,000 where he made 23 appearances for Forest. He found himself playing at left full-back, covering for the long term absence through injury of Julian Bennett.