Sheff Wed 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Henri Lansbury's goal gave Nottingham Forest a sixth win in seven games this term

Nottingham Forest ensured they will start the international break at the summit of the Championship after eking out a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

A first-half Henri Lansbury header gave Stuart Pearce's unbeaten side a lead that they would never relinquish at Hillsborough and ensured a sixth victory in seven games this season.

Wednesday dominated the second half but were unable to force an equaliser.

Atdhe Nuhiu had a late effort saved by Karl Darlow and then hit a post.

It was the hosts' first defeat of the campaign and their failure to reap anything will frustrate Owls manager Stuart Gray given his side enjoyed plenty of possession and several decent openings.

They might have scored twice in the opening three minutes, only for Liam Palmer to try and square for Stevie May rather than shoot himself after breaking clear and Tom Lees to roll a tame effort at Darlow after finding space.

Stevie May, who signed from St Johnstone in August, was Sheffield Wednesday's biggest threat

The goalkeeper was more exercised in thwarting ferocious drives by May, Jacques Maghoma and Chris Maguire but, for all the custodian's competence, the hosts' finishing lacked the conviction shown by their visitors.

Forest had fewer openings but took one of the few that came their way in the 37th minute.

Michail Antonio wriggled into space and lifted the ball into the box, where Lansbury had ghosted in unattended to nudge a free header past Keiren Westwood.

Wednesday dominated thereafter but were unable to find an equaliser.

Nuhiu forced an injury-time save from Darlow then, from the consequent corner, struck an upright.

But Forest hung on to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:

"It shows how far we have came as a team, to be sat here disappointed, to feel we should have got a point and maybe even could have won.

"We dominated the second half and we just couldn't get a break. Their goalkeeper was probably man of the match, that tells you something.

"You could see the effort and commitment. I said to the boys that's the standard, they can't drop from that."

Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce:

"I'm pleased how we stand, but my message is we have to improve. There are four or five areas of the game we can get better at and the players realise that.

"The more demands I put on the players and the more they put on themselves, the more we will improve.

"There hasn't been one game where I have been entirely satisfied. Maybe I have set my standards too high, but I don't think I have."