Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough hammered another nail into Ron Atkinson's relegation coffin at the City Ground today.

Brian Deane grabbed the winner three minutes from time, latching onto Mikkel Beck's flick-on and lobbing Mark Crossley as Boro picked up three points to move further clear of the battle to beat the drop.

Hamilton Ricard's 15th goal of the season put the Teessiders in front before Dougie Freedman fired Nottingham Forest level within seven minutes of the Colombian's 29th-minute strike.

And though they had plenty of chances in the second half, the Premiership's basement club missed out on another opportunity to haul themselves closer to safety.

With fellow strugglers Blackburn and Southampton winning today, the Midlanders' plight is worse than at any other stage of the season and they need a near-miracle to avoid relegation.

When he was Manchester United manager, Atkinson spent £1.5million to sign Robson in 1981 and the Forest boss is full of admiration for the job the former England captain has done at the Riverside Stadium.

But Robson's side did his old friend no favours today as they showed second-half resilience to stand firm before Deane pounced.

It was Boro's first victory over Forest since 1973 and this win, coupled with last week's defeat of Southampton, means they are within touching distance of safety after a poor run of form since Christmas.

The result also ends Middlesbrough's run of six straight away defeats and they should now be able to stave off relegation with a fair amount of comfort.

Atkinson's men look more solid defensively and are more dangerous going forward than in the last few weeks of Dave Bassett's reign at the City Ground.

But even with Pierre van Hooijdonk a danger as he prompted and probed from a position behind the two main strikers, they were only able to beat Mark Schwarzer once.

Their goal came on 36 minutes, Freedman drifting inside and firing a 20-yard shot which sneaked just inside the post via the Boro keeper's hand.

Freedman's second strike in two games dragged Forest level after Ricard - who scored against Southampton - had given the visitors the lead.

Robbie Mustoe's ball over the top caught out the home defence and Ricard steadied himself, rode the challenge of Jesper Mattsson, then fired home.

Boro had a handful of other chances, with Christian Edwards hacking clear from inside his own six-yard box and Crossley denying Deane on three occasions.

But it was Forest who did most to suggest they deserved the three points before Deane's late goal, with van Hooijdonk going close with a succession of free-kicks.

Neil Shipperley headed wide of a gaping goal after beating Mark Schwarzer to Alan Rogers' cross, Mathieu Louis-Jean fired over from 12 yards and Marlon Harewood saw a 25-yard drive fly inches wide of the Boro keeper's right-hand post.

Even after they fell behind again, van Hooijdonk curled a free-kick just off target with Schwarzer struggling to get across his goal.

But Boro hung on despite Forest's late rally and last season's First Division champions now look bound for an immediate return to the Nationwide League.

Teams

Nottm Forest: Crossley, Louis-Jean, Rogers, Chettle, Shipperley, Bart-Williams (Bonalair 74), Edwards, Palmer, Freedman (Harewood 45), Van Hooijdonk, Mattsson (Porfirio 87).

Subs Not Used: Beasant, Gough.

Booked: Louis-Jean, Rogers, Bart-Williams, Palmer.

Goals: Freedman 37.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Gordon, Vickers, Festa, Mustoe, Cooper, Maddison, Townsend, Ricard (Beck 59), Deane, Stockdale, Beck (Armstrong 87).

Subs Not Used: Gascoigne, Beresford, O'Neill.

Booked: Mustoe, Vickers, Deane, Festa.

Goals: Ricard 30, Deane 87.

Att: 21,468

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).