Nottingham Forest got their first League win of the season in what was not a pretty game, but two goals and three good saves by Paul Smith gave them the all-important three points.

An own goal gave Forest an early lead in a predominantly uneventful game, until the final fifteen minutes when Forest looked far more composed and were rewarded with a second goal four minutes from time.

It was a great start for Forest, who went into the lead after two minutes. Chris Cohen's first involvement of the season saw him put in a perfect ball from the corner. Grant Holt got his head to it and there was another touch on the back post, before the ball went into the net off Paul Edwards.

Forest could have been two up when Junior Agogo spotted Holt running in and crossed the ball onto his head. Holt nodded the ball across the face of goal towards James Perch, but the keeper managed to pluck it out of the air.

Port Vale could have taken advantage from a corner when Paul Smith had claimed the ball and bowled it straight into the back of the referee. It fell for Danny Whittaker and Smith was struggling to get back into position but the Port Vale player chipped the ball just wide.

The game became scrappy after this with Smith having no saves to make and Forest unable to add to their early goal.

Port Vale missed another chance just before half time when Craig Rocastle's cross came in as far as Julian Bennett who mis-kicked. The ball came out to Paul Harsley on the edge of the box but he shot across the face of goal and wide of the target.

The home side had an even better chance, just before the half time whistle, from a glancing header on the near post by Ashley Westwood which produced a fabulous save from Smith who dived to his left to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

And Smith produced another great save at the start of the second half. Whitaker's shot from the D was deflected and the Forest keeper stuck a hand up and punched the ball away in spite of the deflection sending him the wrong way.

Forest also had an early chance from Cohen's corner and Holt's header from the edge of the six-yard box was only just over the crossbar.

But after the early flurry the game reverted to the same scrappy play that had pervaded much of the first half.

Substitutions to the home side left them with three strikers up front while Forest replaced Nathan Tyson, who'd had a quiet game, with Kris Commons.

And he was soon making a difference, making a great turn to beat his man and give the ball to Holt who, aiming for the top corner, went just wide.

The travelling supporters attempted to bring some atmosphere to Vale Park, which had been mainly silent throughout the game, apart from a few grumbles from time to time.

With ten minutes to go a double substitution saw Sammy Clingan replace James Perch and Agogo make room for Scott Dobie.

Forest immediately looked more composed and it wasn't long before they increased their lead. The ball was knocked away from the penalty area and Commons gathered it up, turned and fired in the cross. Luke Chambers got on the end of it and headed home from the near post.

Port Vale tried to get a quick goal back and Smith pulled off his third great save of the afternoon to deny McGoldrick.

Forest had a chance in stoppage time when Dobie won the ball and nodded into the path of Commons, who ran onto it and his left-foot rocket smashed into the side netting.

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Wilson, Bennett, Perch,(Clingan,82min) Lennon, Cohen, Tyson(Commons 70min), Holt, Agogo(Dobie 83min)
Subs not used: Roberts, Breckin,
Bookings: Wilson 45+1
Scorer: Edwards og3min, Chambers 88min

Port Vale: Anyon, Pilkington, Lowe(McGregor 26min), Tudor, Westwood, Harsley, Richards(Rodgers 52min), Edwards, WhitakerWillock 73min), Rocastle, McGoldrick
Subs not used: Talbot, Hulbert
Bookings: Westwood 45min

Referee: M J Jones
Attendance: 6,521 Away attn: 2,003