Matt Derbyshire's second minute goal secured a first win for caretaker manager Gary Brazil and the ending of a long run of games without a victory for the Reds.
Against the odds, it also keeps the men from the City Ground in with a shout of playing Premier League football next season as they are three points off the top six with three games remaining.
The first of those is a teatime trip to Elland Road on Easter Monday to face Leeds United with Forest hoping for a favour from relegation-threatened Blackpool from their 3pm kick-off at Brighton who currently occupy the final play-off place.
"If we can get a win at Elland Road, the last two games are going to be very interesting," said Brazil after the game.
"I am really pleased for everyone at the club because this has been a tough period. To get ourselves a win now gives us some momentum, but we have to carry that on now, on Monday afternoon."