Forest 0 Wolves 1 - verdict

Winger Michael Kightly grabbed the only goal 14 minutes from time, with his first goal in 25 matches since November 8, to settle a tense encounter in which chances were few and far between.

Kightly struck his eighth goal of the season, after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's cross was touched back by substitute Sam Vokes, enabling the winger to drill home a low, angled shot into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

Up until then it was difficult to see either side breaking the deadlock in a typically fraught Championship affair that saw defences on top.

But Wolves, backed by a noisy, sell-out following of 5,325 fans, enjoyed the best of the opportunities that did come along.

Stephen Ward flashed a rising drive over before Kightly wasted a chance, when he allowed defender Kelvin Wilson to tackle after a back-heel from Ebanks-Blake sent him clear into the penalty area.

Ebanks-Blake then curled over from the edge of the area, before the end of a half in which Forest failed to threaten their goal.

After the break, Gary McSheffrey sent a swerving shot over but visiting keeper Wayne Hennessey didn't have a save to make, as a long stalemate ensued before Kightly's breakthrough late on.

As the game became stretched and Forest pushed in vain for an equaliser, Wolves looked the more likely scorers, with the ever-dangerous Ebanks-Blake having an effort cleared off the line before an audacious 45 yard chip from substitute Andy Keogh flashed inches wide, with debut goalkeeper Iain Turner frantically backtracking.

But Wolves looked favourite to hold on for their third successive 1-0 away win, with central defenders Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra heading and kicking everything away in their path, while leftback Matt Hill was superb.