Nottingham Forest ended a bleak run with a narrow First Division win over Crewe despite ending the game with 10 men for the second time in a week.

Young midfielder David Prutton saw red after a second bookable offence four minutes from the end to follow Tony Vaughan's sending off at West Brom on Saturday.

But Forest, now sixth in the table, still deserved their victory which ended a run in which they had lost four out of their previous five matches.

The goal that divided the sides came in the 39th minute as Gary Jones netted for the first time for Forest.

Marlon Harewood created all the problems in the build-up to the goal and when the ball broke free Jones side-footed past goalkeeper Adamole Bankole.

Forest had other chances to wrap up a more comfortable win and Bankole led a charmed life for much of the game.

But poor finishing left Jones' effort deciding the issue and helped Forest consolidate themselves in the pack chasing runaway leaders Fulham.

Forest almost gave themselves the perfect lift-off when it needed a goalline clearance to deny them in the 13th minute.

Bankole flapped at a corner and when Christian Edwards lobbed the ball goalwards Mark Rivers headed off the line.

Bankole was again relieved to see defender Efe Sodje block the ball on the line after the keeper had allowed Harewood's cross to wriggle from his grasp.

Third-bottom Crewe had chances of their own and Rivers, who had a lively first half, broke clear for a one-against-one with Forest keeper Dave Beasant, who just managed to block his effort.

Soon afterwards more confusion in the Forest defence gave Colin Cramb an opportunity which he drove just wide of the post.

The chances continued at both ends early in the second half and substitute Colin Little skipped past Vaughan before bringing a fine save from Beasant.

Forest had the chance to put daylight between the teams when Jim Brennan went scampering clear but when the ball broke back to him from Jones, Stern John shot wide of the post.

Bankole, who improved as the game progressed, made an important save from Harewood after Brennan had again penetrated the Crewe defence.

Forest thought they had snatched a second goal in the 79th minute but Jones' header finished in the sidenetting from a cross by American winger Ben Olsen.

But for all their disappointments Crewe could so easily have picked up a point four minutes from time when James Collins pulled the ball back for substitute Steve Foster to wastefully shoot wide from an excellent position.

Teams:

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Edwards, Bart-Williams, Vaughan, Olsen, Prutton, Williams (Foy 73), Jones, Brennan (Gray 64), John, Harewood (Reid 80).

Subs Not Used: Roche, Edds.

Sent Off: Prutton (88).

Booked: Prutton, Olsen.

Goals: Jones 38.

Crewe: Bankole, Shaun Smith, Macauley, Sodje, Gannon (Little 45), Sorvel, Lunt, Collins, Cramb (Foster 45), Rivers, Tait (Peter Smith 78).

Subs Not Used: Kearton, Hulse.

Booked: Macauley.

Att: 20,903

Ref: J P Robinson (Hull).