Barnsley 2 Nottingham Forest 1: Forest felled by Bogdanovic

Malta international Bogdanovic headed Barnsley into an early lead and fired his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot midway through the second period to secure a crucial three points.

Forest, who have now seen an eight-point gap open up between themselves and second-placed West Brom, ensured a frantic finale for the home side after substitute Dexter Blackstock pulled one back from close range with 12 minutes left.

But Billy Davies' side are not the force they were at the turn of the year, and with skipper Paul McKenna among several key players injured there was no way back for the visitors.

Mark Robins' Barnsley, thrashed 6-1 at Newcastle 10 days ago, continue to defy the odds and could even worry the play-off contenders if they can sustain the levels they reached at times last night.

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Shotton, Potter, Teixeira, Colace, Doyle, Hammill (Hallfredsson 25), Macken, Bogdanovic (Hume 74). Unused substitutes: Preece, De Silva, Butterfield, Gray, Thompson.

Nottm Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Perch, Cohen, Moussi (Anderson 81), Majewski, Boyd (Tyson 68), Earnshaw, Adebola (Blackstock 73). Unused substitutes: Smith, Chambers, Garner, McGoldrick.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).