Jay Bothroyd's late strike sealed a workmanlike win for promotion-chasing Cardiff in an entertaining Coca-Cola Championship match at home to Nottingham Forest.

Paul Parry's instinctive 18th-minute drive set the Bluebirds on their way to another Ninian Park victory - although they were made to work for the points against an in-form Forest side, who enjoyed a sustained spell of second-half pressure before Bothroyd's killer blow.

Cardiff are now unbeaten in 11 league matches - a run that stretches back to a mid-November defeat at Plymouth.

Manager Dave Jones remained faithful to the starting XI that saw off Coventry 2-0 on Wednesday, 14-goal striker Ross McCormack accompanied by Bothroyd in attack.

Forest were enjoying their best spell of the season, a run of four straight wins taking them out of the relegation mire under unbeaten new manager Billy Davies.

Morgan returned in defence, after missing the midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday - while Joe Heath and Rob Earnshaw made way for Chris Cohen and Matt Thornhill.

The Bluebirds, boosted by the loan signing of ex-Arsenal man Quincy Owusu-Abeyie from Spartak Moscow, began the brighter.

After a scrappy opening 15 minutes, a fierce Joe Ledley effort cannoned off Kelvin Wilson and fell at the feet of Parry on the edge of the box.

The former Wales international barely had time to pick his spot but lashed a glorious left-footed effort low past Paul Smith.

City continued to pile forward, and McCormack's cross midway through the half found Bothroyd - whose left-footed effort trickled just wide of the target.

Forest were finding opportunities hard to come by, their first meaningful effort coming on the half-hour when Tyson leapt to meet Thornhill's cross - only for Peter Enckelman gather.

Cardiff thought they had a penalty when Morgan challenged Bothroyd in the box, but referee Grant Hegley saw nothing wrong.

Forest began the second half well, and Tyson tested Enckelman with a powerful drive across goal early on.

Tyson again tried his luck on the hour with another shot on target, as Forest began to work their way back into the game - but Enckelman was equal to it.

The visitors were showing flashes of the form that has punctuated their recent upturn in fortunes, and Lewis McGugan went close with an ambitious long-range drive which fizzed narrowly wide.

The hard-working Tyson narrowly failed to grab a deserved Forest equaliser, this time his attempt from the left of the box flying inches over the bar.

Within moments Forest had some defending of their own to do when first Darren Purse then Gavin Rae flashed efforts off target.

Bothroyd should have done better 12 minutes from time - when he connected with Mark Kennedy's cross yet could only fire his effort straight at Smith.

But the former Wolves striker did get his reward three minutes from time, latching on to Chris Burke's ball before twisting into space and slotting past Smith to wrap up the points.

Teams

Cardiff Enckelman, McNaughton, Gyepes (Purse 71),Roger Johnson, Kennedy, Parry, Rae, Ledley,Burke (Comminges 90), McCormack (Eddie Johnson 90), Bothroyd.

Subs Not Used: Heaton, McPhail.

Booked: Gyepes, Bothroyd.

Goals: Parry 18, Bothroyd 87.

Nottm Forest Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Breckin, Perch, Wilson,McGugan (Moloney 81), McCleary (Garner 46), Cohen, Thornhill,Tyson.

Subs Not Used: Gamble, Davies, Byrne.

Booked: Wilson, Breckin.

Att: 18,779

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).