Brighton improved their hopes of avoiding relegation - and dented the visitors' promotion chances - with a well-deserved win over Nottingham Forest at the Withdean.

The Seagulls dominated the first half but only had a goal from Paul Brooker to show for their efforts and, although Forest came back into it after the interval, they held on.

The home side attacked from the start and Tony Rougier had a shot blocked by Riccardo Scimeca after less than a minute. From then on the half belonged to Brighton. Richard Carpenter shot wide from 20 yards and Brooker sent a shot just over the bar.

Brighton's pressure paid off in the 16th minute when Brooker beat the offside trap to meet Bobby Zamora's cross and slide the ball under Forest keeper Darren Ward.

The home side should have increased their lead but squandered chances, Carpenter hitting a superb volley from 20 yards onto the woodwork and then sending another effort over the bar.

The game was 24 minutes old before Forest had their first real attack, David Johnson heading wide from close range. And their only other real chance ended when Dave Beasant saved a close-range effort from Marlon Harewood.

Forest went looking for an equaliser from the restart and Harewood shot wide from the edge of the area. Then Johnson was just wide with a header and Beasant cut out a dangerous cross from Harewood.

Brighton brought on striker Gary Hart for Danny Cullip, and he was immediately in the action with a tricky cross which Ward did well to cut out. The keeper also saved a lobbed shot from Brooker from the edge of the box, and the goalscorer then sent a 20-yard effort wide.

Zamora might have wrapped up the points for the home side in the 76th minute but his powerful close-range shot was tipped round the post by Ward. For Forest, Andrew Reid hit the woodwork from 25 yards and was just wide with another effort but Brighton held on for three precious points.

Teams

Brighton: Beasant, Cullip, Blackwell, Ingimarsson, Watson (Jones 86), Carpenter, Rodger, Brooker (Oatway 90), Mayo, Zamora, Rougier (Hart 64).

Subs Not Used: Packham, Barrett.

Goals: Brooker 16.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Brennan, Dawson, Scimeca, Williams, Harewood, Reid, Huckerby, Johnson (Lester 77), Thompson (Hjelde 65).

Subs Not Used: Roche, Doig, Jess.

Att: 6,830

Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).