Gillingham eased their relegation worries and ended Nottingham Forest's recent run of good form under Joe Kinnear as they secured a first win in five games at Priestfield.

The Gills moved above their opponents as goals from Patrick Agyemang and Danny Spiller cancelled out Nick Barmby's 27th-minute opener - his first for Forest.

And the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages after on-loan defender Alan Rogers was sent-off.

Gillingham, who went into the match with just 14 fit professionals, made one change from the side beaten 1-0 at Crystal Palace last week, as Spiller replaced Rod Wallace.

Wes Morgan came in for the suspended Michael Dawson for Forest, while John Thompson replaced Gareth Williams, who has a back problem.

Striker Marlon King came up against Gillingham for the first time since his £950,000 move to the City Ground in November and he was involved in Forest's first noteworthy attack after six minutes.

He crossed for Andy Reid, whose shot from just inside the area went inches past the post.

Forest, unbeaten in the five games since Kinnear took charge, were bossing the early stages with Barmby firing wide and King forcing the first save from Lars Hirschfeld.

The home side's response came from Kevin James but his weak shot failed to trouble Barry Roche and the Reds were straight back on the attack.

Impey volleyed over from distance before King let fly with a 20-yard drive that was well held by Hirschfeld.

Forest scored the goal their dominance had deserved in the 27th minute. Matthieu Louis-Jean's cross was nodded down by Gareth Taylor and Barmby swivelled to sweep the ball home.

This sparked Gillingham into life, however, and after James had seen a header superbly kept out by Roche, Agyemang crashed home his second goal for the club to equalise.

Forest defenders backed off, allowing the former Wimbledon striker time to pick his spot with a thumping 25-yard pile-driver.

Mamady Sidibe and player-manager Andy Hessenthaler - with a stunning 30-yard volley - both had chances for the Gills before the break, while Barmby saw a close-range volley tipped round the post by Hirschfeld.

James headed over from six yards shortly after the restart, while Forest forward Taylor had the ball in the net, only for the referee to rule out the strike for offside.

Nicky Southall, who twice missed from the penalty spot at Selhurst Park last week, saw a curling free-kick graze the crossbar just moments before the Gills did snatch the decisive goal.

The ball fell kindly for Spiller following a scramble in the box, and he hammered the ball home from four yards.

Forest had scored in the 90th minute in three of their last five games, but it was the home side who looked more likely to add to the scoring in the closing stages.

James raced clear one-on-one with Roche, but the visiting keeper did well to reach the ball first, with the lively winger ready to pounce.

The game ended with a flourish as Rogers was dismissed for serious foul play.

Teams

Gillingham Hirschfeld, Southall, Ashby, Leon Johnson, Rose, Hessenthaler, Smith, Spiller (Crofts 90), James, Agyemang (Pouton 88), Sidibe.

Subs Not Used: Jarvis, Wallis, Beckwith.

Booked: Smith, Hessenthaler, James, Pouton.

Goals: Agyemang 34, Spiller 82.

Nottm Forest Roche, Louis-Jean, Morgan, Walker, Rogers, Impey, Thompson (Chopra 85), Barmby (Sonner 76), Reid, Taylor (Jess 80), King.

Subs Not Used: Formann, Doig.

Sent Off: Rogers (90).

Booked: Thompson, Morgan, Rogers, Reid.

Goals: Barmby 27.

Att: 9,096

Ref: P Crossley (Kent).