Karim Ansarifard’s second goal for the club clinched back-to-back wins for Nottingham Forest for the first time since September, as they beat QPR 1-0.
But Martin O’Neill’s side also had goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to thank for securing the three points at Loftus Road as the Romanian came to the rescue with some big saves.
Reds reporter Paul Taylor gives his verdict on the Championship clash in our latest Forest video.
O’Neill’s men made the trip down south on the back of a thumping 3-0 triumph over Middlesbrough at the City Ground on Easter Monday.
In a first half of few chances, the visitors had come closest to breaking the deadlock, with Ansarifard twice denied, including a shot which was tipped on to the bar by Rangers stopper Joe Lumley.
But it didn’t take the Iranian striker long to find the back of the net after the break.
With 55 minutes gone, he coolly finished off a lovely attacking move which culminated in a delightful pass from Joao Carvalho to put him through.
The hosts, though, summoned a response and Pantilimon was called into action around the hour mark, producing a couple of decent stops.
And he had to be at his best again, right at the death, as QPR were awarded a penalty with just minutes remaining, with Jack Robinson adjudged to have handled in the area.
Substitute Nahki Wells stepped up, but Pantilimon was equal to the spot-kick to ensure a first away victory since November.
Forest will look to sign off with a third consecutive win against Bolton Wanderers at the City Ground next weekend.
