Brighton & Hove Albion's hopes of a playoff place hang in the balance after Nottingham Forest took a 1-0 lead in at half time.

As things stand, Oscar Garcia's side are eighth in the Championship, a point behind Blackburn Rovers and Reading, who occupy the final spot on goal difference.

It was Thomas Kuszczak's mistake that gifted the home side the lead when Matt Derbyshire headed straight at the keeper before he fumbled it into the net after 22 minutes.

© Getty Images

Leonardo Ulloa spurned a great chance in the early stages when he broke clear of the Forest defence. The South American could only fire at Dorus de Vries in the Forest goal.

Marcus Tudgay went close on 15 minutes for the home side after good work from Ben Osborn, but his strike went just wide.

Ulloa had the ball in the net for Garcia's side but he was flagged offside after a close-range finish just before the half-hour mark.