Huddersfield Town 3-0 Nottm Forest

Holt has scored two goals in seven appearances for Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town recorded a comfortable win over out-of-form Nottingham Forest.

The Terriers took the lead after just 44 seconds when Joel Lynch headed home against his former side.

Nahki Wells doubled the home side's advantage after 20 minutes before Grant Holt scored against his former side after the break.

Tom Ince, on his Forest debut, fired into the side netting before Reds sub Chris Burke hit the bar late on.

Forest are now without a win in their last eight matches while Huddersfield are unbeaten in seven.

Stuart Pearce's side could not have got off to a worse start as ex-Forest centre-half Lynch guided in a header from Jack Robinson's long throw inside the first minute.

The Reds came close to a quick equaliser when Henri Lansbury's shot was well tipped over by Town keeper Alex Smithies.

Chris Powell's side made it 2-0 when Wells headed in his ninth goal of the season after linking up well with strike partner Holt.

Huddersfield continued to have the better of an open first period with their energetic performance limiting Forest's openings.

The visitors made a brighter start to the second half but the game was effectively ended as a contest just nine minutes after the break with Holt slamming an effort beyond keeper Karl Darlow from Sean Scannell's pass.

Pearce made three changes around the hour mark and Burke came close to giving Forest a lifeline but his shot hit the bar and bounced down in front of the line.

Huddersfield, who are now just five points outside the play-off places, travel to fourth-placed Derby on Tuesday while Forest host Brentford on Wednesday.

Huddersfield manager Chris Powell: "Some of our football, our wing play and our finishing was a real joy today. I was really proud of all the players because, even in the 93rd and 94th minute, we were putting our bodies on the line to try to keep a clean sheet and that's the attitude that will take us forward.

"The chairman wants us to overachieve as a team, but we're realistic with where we are and what we are financially. I'm going to push the players to be the best they can because you just never know where that will take you."

Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce: "You can't concede goals like that so soon in the match. We created opportunities in the game - we could have been more clinical with our forward play - but I think defensively we shipped too many cheap goals.

"It's eroded the team's confidence a little bit and we have to solve that."