Luke Chambers' first goal of the season ensured Nottingham Forest maintained their 100 per cent record in the Championship under Billy Davies and denied 10-man Sheffield Wednesday a deserved point.

Chambers headed home 16 minutes from time to turn the game on its head and give former Derby boss Davies a third win in as many League matches since taking over at the City Ground.

Owls manager Brian Laws had never tasted defeat as a manager against Forest, where he won two League Cups in his playing days, and his side looked to be on course for victory when Jermaine Johnson opened the scoring in the first half.

But they were pegged back by Nathan Tyson's clinical equaliser after 33 minutes and the talking point of the first half came seven minutes before the break when Francis Jeffers was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Forest full-back Joe Heath.

Although Wednesday continued to press forward in the second half it was to be Forest who secured all three points.

Wednesday started positively and former Derby striker Marcus Tudgay tried his luck from just outside the area 11 minutes in - but his dipping drive flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

And the visitors deservedly took the lead after 27 minutes when skipper Richard Wood hung in the air to meet a corner from the right and his head down was prodded home by Johnson from close range.

But the Owls were caught out just six minutes later when Forest grabbed an equaliser on the break.

Garath McCleary was the architect, sliding a pass into the path of Tyson, who raced clear and beat Lee Grant with a clinical right-foot finish.

And Forest were handed the initiative after 38 minutes when Jeffers dived in on Heath and was showed a straight red card.

Laws showed positive intent by pushing Johnson up front with Tudgay to leave just three in midfield.

And the visitors should have retaken the lead in the first minute of the second half when Tudgay was left unmarked at the back post but headed wide from point-blank range.

Forest were dealt a blow in the 54th minute when in-form striker Robert Earnshaw had to be withdrawn due to injury and there was further disappointment for the home supporters a minute later when McCleary had a goal disallowed for offside.

But despite being a man down it was Wednesday who were asking all the questions, with Johnson's pace causing Forest problems at the back.

The Forest faithful were becoming increasingly frustrated with their side's lack of inventiveness and when they finally unlocked the Wednesday defence Grant made an excellent save to deny Tyson.

But Lewis McGugan produced the moment of quality Forest had been lacking to put his side in front 15 minutes of time.

The highly-rated midfielder whipped in an inviting free-kick from the right and Chambers rose highest to head beyond the helpless Grant.

Joe Garner thought he had sealed the points after 77 minutes but the agile Grant produced another superb save, but Forest were not made to pay for his miss and held on for three more precious points.

Teams

Nottm Forest Smith, Chambers, Wilson, Breckin, Heath,McCleary (Moloney 90), Perch, McGugan, Davies (Thornhill 67),Tyson, Earnshaw (Garner 55).

Subs Not Used: Gamble, Byrne.

Booked: Breckin, Garner.

Goals: Tyson 34, Chambers 75.

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr,Johnson (Clarke 69), Potter, O'Connor (Boden 88), Gray,Tudgay (Small 79), Jeffers.

Subs Not Used: Hinds, Modest.

Sent Off: Jeffers (40).

Booked: Buxton.

Goals: Johnson 27.

Att: 22,618

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).