MILLWALL put a huge dent in Nottingham Forest's play-off hopes, as they claimed a rare away win at the City Ground.
Ian Holloway's side had previously enjoyed only two wins on the road, giving them the worst away record in the Championship.
But first half goals from Scott Malone and Lee Martin were enough to secure three points for the visitors – leaving the side managed by caretaker boss Gary Brazil five points off the play-off places.
Forest did stage a second half fight-back, following a lacklustre first period. But a goal from Jamie Paterson was not enough to secure them a share of the spoils.
And it seems their recent run, which has now seen them collect only four points from a possible 30, could prove to be costly, as they slide a little further away from the top six.
Stuart Pearce, who will take charge of the Reds on July 1, was not at the City Ground.
The opening exchanges were something of a scrappy affair, with Millwall having set up to stifle Forest's attempts to play the ball through midfield.
With Nicky Bailey and Ed Upson sat in front of the Lions defence, there was a six man wall between Forest and the Millwall goal – and they were finding it hard to penetrate.
It was the visitors, in fact, who had the only opportunity of the first ten minutes, with Upson's ball into the box finding giant striker Stefan Maierhofer at the far post. The former Wolves man took the ball down on his chest, before hitting a low shot that Karl Darlow smothered at the second attempt.
Asides from a menacing run into the box from Paterson, Forest were being frustrated by Millwall.
And their mood will only have got worse when, in the 19th minute, the visitors took the lead, with a well taken goal from Malone. The midfielder picked up possession on the edge of the box, before rifling a low shot into the bottom corner. Darlow, unusually, was beaten at his near post, although he was not helped by a deflection.
Millwall pushed for a second goal, with Danny Collins having to head past his own post after Martin had delivered from the left.
Forest did not muster a meaningful effort on goal until more than half an hour had been played, with Radi Majewski driving shot several feet wide of the post from the edge of the box.
Millwall were not exactly carving out a host of chances either – but they were deadly with their finishing with those they did manage to fashion, as Martin doubled their advantage shortly before half time.
Martin was allowed to cut in from the left flank unchallenged, before striking a powerful shot that bent inside the far post, beyond the reach of Darlow.
Halford, who had collided with a television camera man early in the game, was then knocked to the floor for a second time, as Darlow punched clear. Shortly afterwards, he had to be replaced by Kelvin Wilson.
Wilson last started a game in September, before succumbing to a back injury that he has struggled to shake off for the remainder of the campaign.
During the interval, Henri Lansbury remained out on the pitch to warm up – and was duly introduced, for Majewski, before the second half kicked off.
The change had the desired effect, with Forest pulling a goal back within eight minutes of the second half starting.
Osborn fed the ball to Harding on the left side and the full back whipped in a delightful cross, picking out Paterson, who flicked home an emphatic, accurate header, high into the corner of the net.
Maierhofer was booked for a late challenge on Harding and, within two minutes found himself walking a fine line as he became involved in a heated row with Lansbury.
He was replaced by Steve Morison – and the substitute was immediately lucky not to be punished for what looked to be a clear elbow on Wilson.
The Millwall substitute almost made a more positive impact when he let fly with a vicious volley, that Darlow did well to save.
Lansbury came close to an equaliser with a powerful free kick that fizzed just the wrong side of the post, as Forest began to build some momentum.
The height of powerful substitute Darius Henderson was causing a few problems for his former side, as Forest began to play with a little more directness.
But they never quite managed to carve out the breakthrough they craved, as Millwall held on for what was a massive win for them – and a significant defeat for Forest.
Forest: Darlow, Jara, Halford (Wilson 40), Collins, Harding, Greening (Henderson 69), Peltier, Osborn, Majewski (Lansbury 45), Mackie, Paterson. Subs: De Vries, Derbyshire, Cox, Gomis.
Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Bailey (McDonald 72), Woolford, Martin, Upson, Beevers, Malone, Garvan, Maierhofer (Morison 61), Edwards (Robinson 79). Subs: Williams, Jackson, Abdou, Bywater.
![Nottingham Forest 1, Millwall 2: Match report]( "Nottingham Forest 1, Millwall 2: Match report")
