[5] Forbes made his first-team debut for Motherwell in the Europa League first qualifying round defeat against Llanelli on 2 July 2009, Jim Gannon's first match in charge.
[11] Later in the season, under new manager Craig Brown, Forbes form dipped badly after a couple of months coming on as a sub without scoring.
[14] After being released by Motherwell, Forbes was close to sealing a move to recently relegated Dunfermline Athletic and played as a trialist for former club Dumbarton in a Scottish First Division game against Partick Thistle.
[20] At the end of the season, following the club's promotion to the SPL for the first time in nine years Forbes signed a one-year deal.
[21] Upon signing the new contract he said that Thistle had helped him get his career on track and brought back his love for playing football.
[22] In the 2013–14 season, Forbes made his first Scottish Premiership appearance since leaving Motherwell in a 0–0 draw against Dundee United on the opening day.
Forbes scored his First Premiership goal for Partick Thistle against St Mirren, coming off the bench in a 2–1 comeback victory.
On 31 January 2014, Forbes was released by Partick Thistle[24] and signed for Scottish Second Division side Dunfermline Athletic on the same day.
[39] In recognition of his good form at the start of the 2009–10 season, Forbes was called into the Scotland under–21s squad to play Belarus under-21s on 9 October 2009.
[40] Dumbarton Morton Partick Thistle 2012-13 Scottish First Division (second tier) Forbes is a lifelong Rangers fan and was a season ticket holder, along with his father, during the Advocaat era.