Nottingham Forest proved today that football is very much a game of two halves.

Paul Hart's side were nothing short of woeful in a first half totally dominated by the battling Millers - who spurned several gilt-edged opportunities and were denied on a couple of occasions by the impressive Darren Ward.

However, with the game still goalless at the interval, Forest looked a rejuvenated side in the second period and Jack Lester powered home a header in the 49th minute.

Lester then turned provider in 58th minute when he crossed for Marlon Harewood to double their advantage.

Mark Robins reduced the deficit for Ronnie Moore's side with a 64th-minute penalty - but the visitors held on to take all three points.

It could have so different had the First Division strugglers converted one of the many chances they created.

The Millers, buoyed by back-to-back wins over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Gillingham, made a bright start and defender Paul Hurst blasted a shot over the crossbar in the 10th minute.

The Forest goal was under siege again two minutes later when Chris Swailes timed his run to perfection and powered a header just wide.

Hart's side could not get a foothold in the game and Rotherham launched yet another quick raid in the 15th minute.

Influential wide man Chris Sedgwick worked some space on the flank before a delivering a dangerous centre which Hurst blasted wide from 20 yards.

Despite dominating the game, Rotherham had failed to hit the target with a meaningful shot.

But that changed in the 18th minute when former Burnley man John Mullin struck a curling shot which Darren Ward somehow managed to tip round the post.

Stewart Talbot wasted a good opportunity before Ward was once again called upon to keep out Mark Robins' 35th-minute effort.

Sedgwick, who has grown in stature this season, forced another save from the overworked Ward - who was easily Forest's best player during a one-sided first period.

However, the impressive Lester proved to the difference between the two sides in an entertaining second period.

United's launched a late assault on the Forest goal after Robins scored from the penalty spot.

Riccardo Scimeca was adjudged to have handled in the area and the former Manchester United man held his nerve at the second time of asking.

But it proved too little, too late for the Millers, who are still heavily involved in relegation battle.

Teams:

Rotherham Pollitt, Hurst, Swailes, McIntosh, Bryan, Mullin, Talbot (Monkhouse 64), Daws, Sedgwick (Scott 83), Lee (Richard Barker 83), Robins.

Subs Not Used: Gray, Warne.

Booked: Swailes.

Goals: Robins 67 pen.

Nottm Forest Ward, Thompson, Brennan, Scimeca, Louis-Jean, Reid, Prutton, Gray, Bopp, Lester (Jones 87), Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Dawson, Cash, Edds.

Booked: Bopp.

Goals: Lester 49, Harewood 58.

Att: 8,455

Ref: A Leake (Darwen).