NOTTINGHAM Forest pitched themselves right back into the play-off fray as a Greg Halford header helped them to just their third ever win at Millwall.
The defender became the first Reds player to net in the first 15 minutes of a Championship game this season when he rose to head home in the eighth minute – and it was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 win.
With Bolton and Crystal Palace both drawing, Forest found themselves outside the play-off places only on goal difference behind the Trotters, ahead of their clash with local rivals Leicester City on the final day.
A huge throw from Halford caused chaos in the Millwall penalty area, with Elliott Ward heading down into the danger zone, where David Forde narrowly beat Simon Cox to the ball.
But then, almost immediately, at the other end of the pitch, Darlow uncharacteristically spilt a bouncing ball and Ward had to clear the danger as Millwall briefly looked as though they might profit.
Danny Collins, restored to the side in the centre of defence, had to make an important challenge following a superb turn from Shaun Batt, which allowed the striker to get a shot away, which the skipper blocked robustly.
Collins was one of two chances Forest made, both of which came in defence – and both of which came as a result of injuries to full backs.
Chris Cohen was the latest to break down this week, meaning that Dan Harding was brought into the side on the left side of defence. While, with both Sam Hutchinson and Gonzalo Jara ruled out with knee problems, Greg Halford moved over to the right side, with Collins restored to the side in the centre of defence.
It was to be a defender who broke the deadlock as well, as Forest for once struck early to take the lead in the eighth minute.
Andy Reid sent a corner in from the Forest right with real power, bent towards the far post, where Halford rose to send a crisp, confident header into the back of the net.
Forest's confidence was flowing and, within a few minutes, David Forde was forced into an adept save as Radi Majewski scampered into space and let fly with a 20-yard shot that looked bound for the bottom corner before the keeper got down to save.
When Majewski then delivered a corner from the left side, Ward jumped highest in the centre, but was punished for a foul, before Forest could profit from the loose ball.
Forest were looking threatening in wide positions and, when Reid delivered from the left, Karleigh Osborne had to prod the ball out, narrowly wide of his own near post.
The resulting corner saw Millwall struggle to deal with another Majewski ball, with Sharp attempting a spectacular over-head kick – but just failing to make contact.
A quick break from Simon Cox had Millwall on the back foot – and retreating right to the edge of their own box, but Osborne recovered to make a vital block and take the sting out of the striker's shot.
James Henry might have scored when Darlow failed to collect another high ball into the box, under significant pressure, but his instant shot, from a tight angle, dropped over the bar.
When Guedioura stumbled in possession, Henry broke dangerously into the box, before driving a rising shot into the side netting – although Darlow seemed to have it covered.
Darlow's bravery proved vital when Sean St Ledger broke forward to attack a cross in the box, with the keeper diving in decisively to punch clear as the midfielder challenged.
The second half saw Darlow make a rather more simple save when Henry bent a free kick around the wall, but failed to muster the power to trouble the keeper, who clutched the ball simply to his chest.
Forest brought on McGugan in place of Majewski, while Milllwall made a double-change, with Marquis replacing Batt and Keogh coming on for former Forest man Tyson.
A thundering challenge from Dunne on Harding earned the Millwall man a booking – and gave McGugan the chance to drive a powerful free kick against the wall.
McGugan's driving run through the centre gave Sharp the chance to cross from the left and Dunne came close to an own goal as he headed just past his own near post.
Cox led another quick break for the Reds but, after picking out the run of Halford in the box, the defender's cross was poor.
Substitute Marcus Tudgay had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when he almost scored, darting in to connect at the near post, after McGugan had crossed – with Forde saving brilliantly.
Lansbury then won possession in midfield to set up another attack, squaring the ball for Cox, who rode one challenge before forcing a capable save from Forde with a low shot.
Forest made their final change in the 86th minute, with Guy Moussi brought on in place of Reid, as the home side began to build a little pressure.
Lansbury then latched onto a flick from Tudgay and attempted a cheeky volley, which dipped just over the bar, as Forest looked for a second goal to give them some breathing space.
Cox was furious after being booked for a foul – and even more angry when McGugan opted to try a shot, when he only had to square the ball to the striker who was unmarked on the opposite side of the box.
Darlow had to make an important save deep into four minutes of injury time, to keep out Marquis, as Forest held on for a vital win.
Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Tyson (Keogh 62), Batt (Marquis 62), Henry, Beevers, Adam Smith, Abdou, Osborne, Saville (Feeney 79), St Ledger. Subs: Taylor, Wright, Jack Smith, Easter.
Forest: Darlow, Halford, Ward, Collins, Harding, Guedioura, Lansbury, Reid (Moussi 86), Majewski (McGugan 60), Cox, Sharp (Tudgay 71). Subs: Al Rashidi, Greening, Blackstock, Ayala.
Referee: Kevin Wright.