Chris Hughton says Nottingham Forest are not safe from being dragged into a relegation fight, but admitted their 1-0 win over Cardiff City has taken them one step closer to securing their Championship status.
The Reds produced a disciplined performance to put a dent in the Bluebirds’ ambitions of a top-six finish as James Garner’s first-half strike secured all three points.
Forest defended magnificently throughout, with Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna in terrific form in the heart of the back four, as the Reds racked up another clean-sheet.
The victory has left the Reds 10 points clear of the bottom three with just seven games remaining, but despite the gap, Hughton does not feel it is time to relax just yet.
Asked whether he thought Forest were safe, Hughton said: “No, and I think any manager in my position would say exactly the same.
“What we have done today is put in a performance that has taken one step more towards being safe.
“I wouldn’t be saying the right things if I thought otherwise.”
Hughton said Forest had to defend well against a physical Cardiff attack led by Kieffer Moore, a player who is understood to have previously been a target for the Reds before his switch to the Bluebirds.
And he felt everybody played their part, with Aden Flint spurning the best opportunity for the hosts when he headed over the bar from seven yards when left unmarked.
That was the only real scare for the Reds and Hughton said: “It was certainly a good win, a tough win in a tough game.
“We thought nothing less coming here. They’ve got a way of playing and they’re in really good form at that moment. You know you’re going to have to be strong and resolute.
“It was a game where there were minimal chances and for us it was that one real piece of quality we had for the goal.
“We restricted them to probably the good chance that Flint had towards the end of the game, but overall, it was a tough performance.
“And, sometimes these type of games and winning these type of games, gives you an even better feel.”
