Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Nottingham Forest

Ben Osborn celebrates his third goal of the season

Championship leaders Wolves had their 13-match unbeaten league run ended as Aitor Karanka claimed his first win as Nottingham Forest manager.

Kieran Dowell's deflected 25-yard shot wrong-footed keeper John Ruddy to put Forest ahead against the run of play.

The hosts were stunned again just three minutes later when Ben Osborn smashed in a shot from Matty Cash's pull-back.

Wolves pressed after the break, but rarely threatened to break through Forest's disciplined defence.

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Both managers rang the changes for contrasting reasons, with the hosts making nine to the starting XI narrowly beaten at Swansea in their midweek FA Cup replay, while Karanka made four for his second game in charge of out-of-form Forest.

The hosts, who last tasted defeat at Molineux in mid-August against Cardiff, had the lion's share of possession for long periods.

But Forest, who had picked up just five points in their nine previous league matches, kept them at arm's length and Matt Doherty almost deflected Dowell's free-kick into his own net before the visitors grabbed their quickfire double.

Diogo Jota sent a curling shot just past the far post, but the Championship's most potent attack were unable to seriously test goalkeeper Jordan Smith throughout.

Danny Fox had to head clear from under his own crossbar from Ivan Cavaleiro's cross as the home side sought a second-half comeback, but the defender almost claimed a third for the visitors when his header was tipped over the bar by Ruddy.

The defeat meant Wolves' lead over second-placed Derby County remains at nine points, while Forest's first win in seven league matches lifted them a place to 14th.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC WM:

"I think it was one of the games where we were not as good as we could and should be.

"We knew that this day could come. We must improve and have to bounce back immediately from this.

"I am responsible maybe for not telling the boys we still have a long way to go. Nobody can relax here."

Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka:

"It was a real good performance, it's not easy to win here and for me the most important thing has been the commitment from everybody.

"We have to grow, we have to be more intense. We have a really good squad. We were passing the ball really well - if we can play with more intensity we are going to improve.

"The club is very well organised - we will finish the transfer window with a better squad than we have now."