Doncaster Rovers 0 Nottingham Forest 1: Doncaster out of luck as Gunter strikes for Forest

The Reds had failed to score in their first two Championship matches and offered little by way of an attacking threat at the Keepmoat Stadium.

However, Gunter’s 31st-minute header proved enough to see off a Rovers side who remain without a point this season and have now gone 15 matches without a win.

The result was somewhat harsh on Sean O’Driscoll’s men, who were the better side for large periods.

Sam Hird replaced Richard Naylor in Doncaster’s defence, while new loan signing Reece Brown – the brother of Sunderland’s Wes – was among the substitutes after joining from Manchester United earlier in the day. Former Blackburn striker Matt Derbyshire made his Forest debut.

Ishmael Miller, who arrived from West Brom this week for an initial fee of £1.2m, had to settle for a place on the bench, along with highly-rated midfielder Lewis McGugan.

Rovers made a bright start and James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett went close inside the opening four minutes.

Wes Morgan hooked wide from Andy Reid’s free-kick at the other end, yet it was Doncaster who were enjoying the bulk of possession. Giles Barnes forced Camp into two saves and Bennett saw another effort fly wide.

Yet it was Forest who made the breakthrough, moments after Derbyshire had seen a penalty appeal turned down, when Gunter nodded home a deep cross from the right.

Camp showed good agility to palm away an effort from Coppinger that looked destined for the corner and ensure the visitors headed into the interval with their lead intact.

Gillett had a chance to equalise early in the second half when he was picked out at the far post by Barnes, but the former Southampton man failed to connect cleanly with his volley.

Forest remained on the back foot as the hour mark approached and McClaren reacted by bringing on American forward Robbie Findley in place of Derbyshire.

The change initially did little to improve the Reds’ attacking output, although Radoslaw Majewski curled a free-kick narrowly over the bar in the 70th minute after a strong run from Findley had been unfairly halted by Hird, who received a booking.

Doncaster Rovers: Gary Woods, Dumbuya, Hird, Friend, Spurr, Coppinger, Oster, Gillett, Barnes (Baxendale 89), Bennett (R Brown 85), C Brown. Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Naylor, Wilson.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Moloney, Chambers, Morgan, Gunter, Majewski, Greening, Cohen, Reid (Lynch 90),McGoldrick (Miller 75), Derbyshire (Findley 57). Unused substitutes: Smith,McGugan.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northants).