Promoted last May Forest have been learning a difficult lesson about the step up a division and welcomed Palace to the City Ground at the foot of the table whilst an unchanged Palace side have been encouraged with coming out of their last two games unbeaten. 

The vistors got the perfect start to this one when a Ben Watson free kick was only half cleared and it fell to Paul Ifill who struck the shot perfectly giving 'keeper Paul Smith no chance after four minutes and the best possible start for Neil Warnock's side.

Forest looked dangerous going forward from the off and nearly put the game back on level terms within minutes. Gareth McCleary having a header tipped over by Julian Speroni and from the resulting corner Julian Bennett saw his effort go just inches over the bar.

Watson was nearly adding to Palace's lead on 20 minutes when his fierce drive was only parried away for a corner by Smith after the midfielder broke up a Forest move inside their own half.

On 22 minutes Bennett had a carbon copy of an earlier chance when he rose high above his man to head just over Speroni's bar from a Chris Cohen corner.  

Guy Moussi's shot from 20 yards out was well held by Speroni ten minutes before the break as the home side tried to get their way back in the game.

Warnock had to make a change to his starting eleven when Paddy Mc Carthy had to leave the field with what looked like a shoulder injury and was replaced by Matt Lawrence. The Irishman had gone down after a challenge for the ball with Nathan Tyson and stayed down until he left the field.

Moussi had another chance at goal, which went just wide of the 'keeper's right hand post as he latched onto the ball after a good run and movement by McCleary.

With only minutes to go to the break Speroni kept his side on level terms when he pushed away a shot from Bennett for a corner as the effort came in from distance.

The Forest contingent thought they might have had a spot kick in stoppage time of the half when the ball forward was played into the box and Speroni challenged Lee Martin but as the player went down Roger Beeby was waving play on with the home side appealing for a spot kick.

A half played in a swirling cold wind came to a close with Palace holding the narrow lead although Forest will be disappointed as they had the chances to get back all square.

At the break a further change as Neil Danns made his first appearance for eight months due to a groin injury as he came on for Nick Carle. It was not long into the half before Colin Calderwood was making a change.  Andrew Cole coming into the game at the expense of Matt Thornhill.

The opening stages of the second period failed to see either side take the upper hand in the game with much of the play between both boxes although Bennett headed over for Forest whilst at the other end Shefki Kuqi is on the field as Victor Moses is the one to take his place on the bench.

On sixty eight minutes Danns seemed to be in to settle the match as he was found by Beattie but he was unable to get any pace behind the shot and the keeper easily gathered the effort.

Palace defended well through out restricting the number of chances as Forest were looking for a route away from the foot of the table but Wes Morgan heading over the bar and Tyson stabbing a shot wide at the foot of the post were the best the home side could offer at this stage of the game.

The win was confirmed as Kuqi superbly rounded off the day, he picked up a ball from Danns and having seen the 'keeper commit himself to the edge of the box he curled the ball into the net with nine minutes remaining as his effort went over the 'keeper's head with Smith running back. Despite Kevin Wilson's attempt to keep the ball out of the net the Finn scored and sent the players and fans behind the goal wild with delight.

Late chances from Beattie and Watson were blocked as Palace looked to add to their advantage but they didn't need them as the first away win of the season was achieved thanks to some solid defensive play and two well taken goals.

Teams:

Nottm Forest: Smith, Wilson, Morgan, Thornhill (Cole 60), Bennett, McCleary, Perch, Cohen, Moussi (Chambers 79), Martin (Davies 69), Tyson.

Subs Not Used: Lynch, Breckin.

Booked: Tyson, Thornhill, Cole.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, McCarthy (Lawrence 36), Fonte, Hill, Derry, Watson, Carle (Danns 46), Ifill, Beattie, Moses (Kuqi 66).

Subs Not Used: Scannell, Oster.

Booked: Carle, Derry, Watson.

Att: 22,811     Referee : Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).