Dexter Blackstock's 54th-minute strike has seen Nottingham Forest move to within a point of the playoff places after beating Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

Maikel Kieftenbeld had an early shot blocked for the hosts, but the Blues nearly trailed in the opening minutes after Tomasz Kuszczak saved Matt Mills's header from Henri Lansbury's cross.

Midway through the half, Forest could have broken the deadlock as Chris Burke's fizzing shot was off-target before Ben Osborn was closed down by the Birmingham defence as he looked to strike at goal.

Gary Rowett's men were inches away from taking the lead on the stroke of half time when David Cotterill's pinpoint cross fell into the path of Jon-Miquel Toral, who blazed over from close range.

Cotterill was again involved after the restart as he linked up with Paul Caddis before the midfielder sent a tantalising ball to the far post, but Clayton Donaldson was unable to guide his header underneath.

City were punished for their misses as Forest took the lead after Blackstock stretched out to poke Jamie Ward's cross into Kuszczak's net.

Birmingham, who had not trailed in a game since mid-April, almost managed to get back on level terms with 20 minutes left as substitute Demarai Gray dragged his shot wide of the target.

However, City nearly found themselves further behind when a slip from Caddis allowed Ryan Mendes to bare down on the home side's goal, but the ex-Lille winger was unable to convert his chance.

Rowett threw on all his substitutes in the final minutes and was nearly rewarded with a stoppage-time equaliser, but Nicolai Brock-Madsen's shot was kept out as Forest held on.