Last updated on .From the section Championship

Nottingham Forest have won successive Championship games, with Lewis Grabban scoring in both matches

Lewis Grabban took advantage of a Derby County error to give Nottingham Forest victory over their local rivals at the City Ground.

Right-back Jayden Bogle's loose pass across the face of his own penalty area gifted possession to striker Grabban, who fired in first time past Kelle Roos for his seventh goal of the season.

An even first half had ended goalless, with both sides creating chances to score the opener.

But Forest's greater intensity at the start of the second period saw them take control of the contest and they held onto their one-goal lead, despite the visitors going close with two close-range shots from Jack Marriott.

Derby have now failed to win on any of their past eight visits to the City Ground in all competitions, with their most recent victory coming in September 2012.

A win in Saturday's early kick-off - and on manager Sabri Lamouchi's birthday - lifted Forest to within two points of Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion, who later stretched the gap back to five by beating Hull.

Derby started brightly and forged the best chance of the first period when Bogle's surging run set up Tom Lawrence, whose tame effort was saved by Brice Samba.

Roos kept out two well-struck attempts from Sammy Ameobi at the other end for the hosts, who were much improved after the break and held off some late Derby pressure to secure all three points.

Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi:

"It was an emotional game and for that reason, maybe the first half wasn't the best.

"The second half was much better. They made a big mistake and our striker, Grabbs, played a fantastic game one more time with great finishing, like killer finishing. That is what we wanted to see from him.

"Before the international break to play an important game like this, it's important to be compact, focused and committed.

"At the end, I think we deserved this victory."

Derby manager Phillip Cocu:

"In the big games, in many games but especially in games like this, a detail, a mistake, bad judgement or sometimes class can make the difference.

"Today, the mistake of Jayden cost us the result. That is tough because I think we played quite a good game.

"We had good presence and played good football over a large part of the game.

"We tried everything to get the equaliser and we were close. We just didn't have the luck to score."