Ipswich Town 0 Nottingham Forest 1
First division leaders Forest maintained their three-point advantage thanks to Kevin Campbell's only goal of the game.
Chris Bart-Williams, playing his last game before a knee operation next week, set up the former Arsenal striker in the 65th minute. He knocked the ball back for Campbell to fire home right-footed from 10 yards.
It was a goal Forest fully deserved as they piled on the pressure in the second half. Minutes earlier Campbell had played in Des Lyttle on the right and Town needed Keiron Dyer to clear for a corner.
From the subsequent corner by Bart-Williams, Dutch striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk headed against the bar.
But Ipswich had looked the better side for the opening half hour and should have taken the lead after 14 minutes.
Geraint Williams put James Scowcroft through one on one with Forest keeper Dave Beasant but his control let him down.
David Johnson looked lively in the early stages of his home debut for Ipswich but was booked in the 17th minute for a foul on Alan Rogers.
The former Bury striker pulled the ball back after 21 minutes for Dyer to put in a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area but Beasant dived to bring off a one-handed save.
Ipswich also mounted a late rally in which substitute Richard Naylor was denied by a brave tackle by Lyttle.
Two minutes from the end Andy Legg, on loan from Birmingham, crossed with the Forest defence in confusion but the ball was cleared after a terrific scramble.
In the last minute, Williams shot just wide from 25 yards but then Forest broke quickly and keeper Richard Wright blocked a ferocious drive from Van Hooijdonk.
