Nottingham Forest fell to their third successive defeat on Saturday afternoon, with Swansea City moving up to fourth in the Championship after a 1-0 win at the City Ground.

Both sides came into this one looking to return to winning ways, with Forest losing 2-0 to AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night.

After a slow start in midweek, Hughton will have been urging his players to get on the front-foot right from the first whistle.

They nearly found an opening after only four minutes. Good work by Yuri Ribeiro and Sammy Ameobi resulted in the latter bursting down the line before firing a low cross into the area.

There was top goalscorer Lyle Taylor to attack it, but his flick was placed just wide of the far post. A positive start nonetheless.

After coming on as a substitute to score the equaliser in midweek, Andre Ayew would have also been hoping to make a positive start right from the off.

The Ghana international, hoping to add to his tally of six goals this season, found space on the edge of the area two minutes later, but curled a shot way over the bar and into the Trent End.

Forest were to assert their dominance on the game in the opening half-hour. Neat, one-touch passing and high pressing off the ball saw them get well on top, limiting the Swans to very few chances.

Hughton's men were forced into a relatively early change, though. On 34 minutes, Connor Roberts hacked down Jack Colback as Forest looked to break from a corner. After initially waving play on, Tony Harrington eventually gave a free-kick. Colback was unable to continue, and hobbled off before being replaced by Harry Arter.

Arter nearly made an immediate contribution. His first-time through ball sent Taylor darting through the middle, splitting the Swansea defence. Before the striker could latch onto it, a last-gasp interception from Kyle Naughton prevented the former from bearing down on goal.

Most of Forest's attacking phases were coming from out wide, though, with Anthony Knockaert right in the thick of the action. On 39 minutes, the Frenchman had his side's best chance of the half.

Taylor's physicality saw him win an aerial duel, finding Guerrero who fizzed the ball out wide to Knockaert. The winger - as we so often see him do - cut inside onto his favoured left foot, evaded a couple of challenges before firing the ball straight at Freddie Woodman.

An effort he perhaps should have beat the 'keeper with, but nevertheless, Forest were ending the half strongly, as they looked to break down the Championship's best defensive unit.

But on the stroke of half-time, Forest were the creators of their own downfall.

Ayew's cross from the left was flicked on by Scott McKenna, who was unable to clear the danger properly. Rising at the back post was Roberts, who rose highest to beat Sammy Ameobi to the ball and head in at the far post.

The marauding full-back took a whack in the face for his troubles, but his contribution mattered far much more. 1-0 to Swansea, against the run of play somewhat.

The whistle blew and half-time had arrived. A disappointing end to what had been a positive one for the Reds, who will have been looking to bounce back as soon as possible.

It was Swansea who had the first real sight of goal in the second-half, though, with Ayew meeting Matt Grimes' cross with an overhead kick which was fired just wide of the goal.

Forest responded, though, and had a minor penalty appeal to shout about on 48 minutes. Ribeiro's cross from the left finding Guerrero at the back-post, whose header was played back across goal for Taylor.

Taylor looked to pounce from six yards, but went under the challenge of Ryan Bennett. No penalty was awarded, and Harrington waved play on.

That was to be Guerrero's final contribution of the afternoon, as the Spaniard made way for Joe Lolley moments later.

Swansea have only conceded eight goals this season and boasted the best defensive record in the division heading into this one, and it was clear to see why.

Taylor was used as a focal point for the Reds, with the 30-year-old driving forward with the ball. Swansea's defence recovered, though, holding up Taylor before seeing Knockaert fire a half-volley wide on 65 minutes.

On 75 minutes, Hughton made his third change of the afternoon. Off came Sammy Ameobi, and on came young striker Will Swan for his Forest debut. A big opportunity for the Under-23s' leading goalscorer.

Cooper also made his first change a couple of minutes later, with Wayne Routledge replacing Jamal Lowe.

Forest were running out of steam towards the latter stages of the contest. Taylor could only head a Cyrus Christie cross wide of the target, as chances became limited.

Swansea were looking to defend their lead and hit Forest on the counter, as Freddie Woodman was shown a yellow card for time-wasting on 85 minutes.

But despite winning late corners in quick succession, Swansea were to hold onto a vital win which takes them up to fourth.

Three defeats on the spin for Forest, who failed to cause any real problems in the second-half despite a positive first-half display.