Billy Davies suffered his first defeat as Forest manager as Cardiff ran out 2-0 winners at Ninian Park.
Parry and Bothroyd goals keep Cardiff's promotion push on track
Billy Davies suffered his first defeat as Nottingham Forest manager as Cardiff City ran out 2-0 winners at Ninian Park.
Promotion hopefuls Cardiff produced an efficient display on home soil and took the lead on 18 minutes through Paul Parry's first goal since early October.
The points were sealed three minutes from time when Jay Bothroyd, who scored against Coventry in midweek, slotted past Forest keeper Paul Smith.
The Bluebirds, who announced the loan signing of ex-Arsenal man Quincy Owusu-Abeyie from Spartak Moscow earlier in the day, began the brighter.
After a scrappy opening 15 minutes, a fierce Joe Ledley effort cannoned off Kelvin Wilson and fell at the feet of Parry on the edge of the box.
The former Wales international barely had time to pick his spot but lashed a glorious left-footed effort low past Smith.
City continued to pile forward, and Ross McCormack's cross midway through the half found Bothroyd - whose left-footed effort trickled just wide of the target.
Forest were finding opportunities hard to come by, their first meaningful effort coming on the half-hour when Nathan Tyson leapt to meet Matt Thornhill's cross - only for Peter Enckelman gather.
Cardiff thought they had a penalty when Wes Morgan challenged Bothroyd in the box, but referee Grant Hegley saw nothing wrong.
Flashes of form
Forest began the second half well, and Tyson tested Enckelman with a powerful drive across goal early on.
Tyson again tried his luck on the hour with another shot on target, as Forest began to work their way back into the game - but Enckelman was equal to it.
The visitors were showing flashes of the form that has punctuated their recent upturn in fortunes, and Lewis McGugan went close with an ambitious long-range drive which fizzed narrowly wide.
The hard-working Tyson narrowly failed to grab a deserved Forest equaliser, this time his attempt from the left of the box flying inches over the bar.
Within moments Forest had some defending of their own to do when first Darren Purse then Gavin Rae flashed efforts off target.
Bothroyd should have done better 12 minutes from time when he connected with Mark Kennedy's cross yet could only fire his effort straight at Smith.
But the former Wolves striker did get his reward three minutes from time, latching on to Chris Burke's ball before twisting into space and slotting past Smith to wrap up the points.
