An 82nd-minute goal from veteran striker Bob Taylor sealed a vital 1-0 victory for Division One promotion chasers West Brom at Nottingham Forest.

The old man of the Baggies side stooped low to head home after Neil Clement saw his terrific free-kick saved by home keeper Darren Ward.

It was tough luck on Forest, who matched Gary Megson's side for most of the game. But as in many games this season, Forest failed to take any of their chances.

However, the Baggies' victory moves them to within five points of arch-rivals Wolves - who occupy the second automatic promotion place.

Forest, with Adam Proudlock making his debut on loan from Wolves, were just the better of the two sides in a dull first-half, which was most notable for a brilliant piece of skill by Marlon Harewood.

Daniele Dichio should have given the visitors the lead just after the half-hour mark, but he fired wastefully over the bar from seven yards.

Apart from a Harewood free-kick and another effort from Dichio, the opening period saw both sides lack a cutting edge and it won't be remembered as one of the best halves of football seen at the City Ground.

Boss Gary Megson though must have had some strong words to say to his side during the interval as West Brom came out for the second half looking a totally different side.

The Baggies laid siege to the hosts' goal but just couldn't find the early breakthrough they were looking for.

Scott Dobie wasted a great chance for the visitors on 47 minutes, firing wide from six yards after a tremendous run down the right-hand side.

Two minutes later and the Baggies appealed for a penalty, but referee Alan Wiley adjudged Jon Olav Hjelde's foul on Dichio was just outside the box.

From the resulting kick, Igor Balis fired his shot straight into the wall. Both Dobie and left wing-back Clement were then guilty of squandering gilt-edged chances, but it was Harewood who came closest to find the net, heading just narrowly over the bar from a Proudlock cross on the hour.

On 72 minutes, a great run and cross from Forest midfielder Gareth Williams again came to nothing with the visiting defence scrambling the ball clear.

The game began to get a little heated with Forest's Jack Lester and David Prutton and West Brom's Adam Chambers all going into the referee's book in a five-minute period.

Harewood again found himself in a good position on 77 minutes, but he drilled his shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Five minutes later and West Brom finally went ahead. Clement's blistering free-kick from just outside the box hit the bar and was brilliantly kept out by Ward, but Taylor reacted quickest to nod the ball home.

Forest could have struck an immediate reply, but from a free-kick of their own on the edge of the visitors' penalty area, Harewood fired his shot straight into the wall.

Forest had one last shot of salvaging a draw, but Prutton's 20-yard effort was saved easily by Baggies keeper Russell Hoult low to his left.