Matt Derbyshire's early goal enough to earn win for Nottingham Forest

Gary Brazil earned his first win as caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest with a battling 1-0 victory over Birmingham City this afternoon.

Matt Derbyshire showed his predatory instincts to sweep the home side ahead after just 90 seconds at the City Ground.

Derbyshire then curled an effort just wide of the far post from 20 yards in the 26th minute as Forest looked to extend their lead.

David Vaughan flashed a shot wide before Jamie Paterson's cross just evaded Derbyshire in the box as the home side dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Birmingham introduced Jordan Ibe at the break to inject some pace into their attack, but it was Forest who should have gone 2-0 ahead early in the second period when Paterson raced through on goal, only to see his shot saved by Darren Randolph.

Ibe was involved on the hour mark, and the Liverpool loanee was unlucky to see his curling effort from just outside the box sail wide.

Shortly afterwards, Karl Darlow was forced into his first save of the afternoon when he palmed away Nikola Zigic's strong header.

Birmingham began to turn the screw as the game approached full time as Chris Burke sent a good low ball across the face of goal, but it evaded all three attackers who slid in to try and convert it.

With 10 minutes left, Darlow flung himself across goal to save magnificently from Paul Robinson's point-blank header and Forest held on to win.