Nottingham Forest registered their first win in six games and in the process made Norwich look anything but First Division promotion hopefuls.

Paul Hart's men dominated the game for long periods and, in truth, could have had more to show than the goals that arrived midway through the first half.

For the most part, Norwich were left chasing shadows as Forest produced some neat inter-passing play that denied the visitors any chance of getting into a rhythm of their own.

Norwich were given a warning of what was to come in just the third minute when a Nicky Summerbee corner was cleared to Gareth Williams who shook the bar with a fierce left-footer from 25 yards.

But the opening goal was not delayed for long and, in the 23rd minute, Forest moved in front with David Prutton's second of the season.

Canadian full-back Jim Brennan ended an excellent passing movement with a deep cross that Summerbee knocked into the path of Prutton, who despatched his effort from 12 yards.

Ten minutes later, Forest had given themselves a cushion when Norwich defenders were nowhere to be seen as Brennan's cross arrived in the middle and Stern John out-jumped goalkeeper Robert Green to head into an empty net.

On-loan striker David Nielsen was furious to be denied a penalty claim on the stroke of half-time after he went down under challenge from Forest full-back Mathieu Louis-Jean but it was a rare moment of concern for Forest in the first half.

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington no doubt had half-time words to say and his side looked a much better proposition in the opening stages of the second half.

It needed a superb late tackle by Brennan to deny skipper Iwan Roberts a shooting chance at the far post and then Darel Russell fired just over the bar.

As Norwich maintained their momentum, Steen Nedergaard dragged a right-foot shot just past the post after Forest had gifted him the opportunity.

But after that, Forest went back to playing their possession football to deny Norwich further opportunities and, in injury-time, could easily have added a third.

Prutton penetrated down the left and from his cross, John shot past the near post when it looked easier to score.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Hjelde, Scimeca, Brennan, Summerbee, Jenas, Williams, Prutton, Bopp, John.

Subs Not Used: Johnson, Roche, Lester, Vaughan, Gray.

Goals: Prutton 24, John 34.

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Russell (Notman 65), Holt, Mulryne, Llewellyn (McVeigh 45), Roberts, Nielsen (Libbra 83).

Subs Not Used: Crichton, McGovern.

Booked: Mulryne.

Att: 23,003

Ref: P Walton (Northants).