Nottingham Forest moved into the Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off spots thanks to a 1-0 win over Wolves at Meadow Lane.
In a meeting between two of the league’s most in-form teams, it was perhaps rather suitable that those in attendance were spectators to a positive display of attacking football from either side.
Will Swan’s instinctive finish during first-half stoppage time proved to be the winning strike but he could have quite easily had more to his name.
Forest started the brighter of the two teams and had two early forays forward as they looked to set a high tempo to the game.
The first came when Jonathan Panzo pushed out from his central defensive position before sliding a pass for Julian Larsson to latch onto. The Swedish attacking midfielder looked up when he reached the penalty area but was unable to direct his looping cross towards a team-mate.
They came closest to scoring on 14 minutes though. Aaron Donnelly was given space on the edge of the opposition box to deliver a curling cross into the six-yard box; Larsson stepped ahead of his marker to meet the ball but glanced a header past the post.
Andy Reid’s side continued to dominate in the middle and final thirds but just could not find a way past Jamie Pardington.
A brilliant touch from Larsson allowed him to drift central from the left-wing before passing inside to Swan. The 20-year-old striker immediately shot low into an opposition defender and rebound was tucked into Pardington’s grateful arms by Larsson.
Josh Barnes followed Panzo into referee Robert Whitton’s in a high-tempo five minutes as both committed reckless fouls.
Wolves had to wait until 35 minutes before having their first real chance on-goal but even then it was a comfortable task for Shelvey when Lee McLaughlin turned and struck a shot towards him.
The Reds finally managed to break the deadlock right before half-time. A driving run from Panzo allowed him to find Alex Gibson-Hammond; the overlapping right-wing back then pulled the ball back to Swan who pivoted and struck high past Pardington.
Forest started the second half brightly when Donnelly, again found with plenty of space on the left, drifted a cross towards Barnes and Swan. Neither could connect properly and the ball fell to Gibson-Hammond whose tame effort was saved with ease.
The Reds had another chance when Swan peeled onto Panzo’s through-ball. Once inside the penalty area he tried to switch it to Ateef Konate but the pass was put behind for a corner which was cleared.
Wolves soon grew more into the game though once substitutes were Harry Birtwistle and Jack Hodnett were introduced.
The closest they came, however, was when Chem Campbell nipped inside against his marker and stung Shelvey’s gloves with a firm strike.
At the other end of the pitch, Swan again came close to doubling his side’s lead but could only watch as his toe-poked effort dribbled just past the post thanks to Pardington’s out-stretched legs.
Wolves threw all that they could at Forest as the game entered its final minutes. Sub Tyler Roberts struck the upright when he latched onto a loose ball, but the Reds stood resolute and firm to hold onto all three points.
Here's how our reporter Matt Lee rated the young Reds...
George Shelvey: An early blush when his mis-kick fell at a Wolves player’s feet but otherwise mostly unchallenged. 7/10
Alex Gibson-Hammond: Came into the game more as it wore on. Enjoyed pushing his opposite number as far back as possible. Set up the opening goal. 7/10
Aaron Donnelly: Really impressive at left wing-back. Kept looking to get forward and was producing some brilliant looping crosses. 8/10
Jonathan Panzo: Still working up his match fitness but seems to be nearing the ideal level. Seemed to enjoy pulling out from defence and driving forward. Reliable at the back. 8/10
Baba Fernandes: Never really tested as Wolves rarely threatened. When they did, normally through McLoughlin or Bueno, his strength and pace gave him the advantage. 7/10
Riley Harbottle: Found himself positioned between two very different central defenders in Panzo and Fernandes. Comfortable throughout the game and made a few important tackles. 7/10
Billy Fewster: Not too involved in attacking chances but took a good lead in controlling the game from midfield. 7/10
Josh Barnes: Another who found themselves occupying a slightly deeper role in midfield but gave a good account of himself to manage the game. 7/10
Will Swan: Scored his 12 th goal of the season right before half-time with a firm finish. Could have more on a better day but one proved to be enough to win the game. 8/10
Ateef Konate: Another of Forest’s brighter young talents and another bright performance from him. Caused plenty of problems throughout the night, often pulling defenders away to make space for others. 7/10
Julian Larsson: Enjoying some brilliant individual form and that was on show again as he repeatedly created goal-scoring chances for Forest. 8/10
Ollie Hammond (on 78mins): Not really enough time to impose himself on the tie but equally did nothing wrong. 7/10
