Nelson Oliveira and Ryan Mendes on target as Nottingham Forest edge MK Dons
Nottingham Forest notched up a fourth consecutive win at the City Ground and extended MK Dons' misery on the road as they claimed a 2-1 success that should have been far more comfortable.
Dougie Freedman's side spurned a host of chances after goals from Nelson Oliveira and Ryan Mendes had put them 2-0 up in the first 16 minutes.
And they had to endure a nervous finish when Josh Murphy pulled one back nine minutes from the end.
But the Reds held on to extend their unbeaten run to five in the Championship and leave Karl Robinson's side still searching for their first away win since their opening-day success over Rotherham.
Freedman made four changes to his Forest side - and two of those who had been restored to the starting line-up combined to give them the lead after only 67 seconds.
Ryan Mendes, who had missed the 0-0 draw at Blackburn with a groin problem, fed Oliveira in the box and the Portugal international - who had been a sub at Ewood Park - showed a deft touch to cut onto his left foot and drive a low shot beyond the reach of David Martin.
Nicky Maynard, who had spent most of the summer on trial at Forest, came close with a dipping shot.
And Dorus de Vries made an outstanding save to push away a free-kick from Rob Hall that was bending inside the post.
Forest's confidence was in full flow, however, with Oliveira flashing a shot a foot wide of the post and Mendes coming even closer with a powerful effort that Martin appeared to push onto the post. And it was no surprise when the second goal came in the 16th minute, even if it came in slightly unorthodox fashion.
When Mendes stretched to volley a cross from Daniel Pinillos six yards from goal, he failed to make proper contact. But he was able to stab the ball home at the second attempt.
Forest should have been out of sight when Oliveira found himself clear of the MK Dons defence, but he prodded a shot inches wide.
A flowing passing move culminated with Mendes sending a dipping 20-yard effort narrowly over.
The second half saw Forest again quickly start to dominate, carving out a flurry of half chances, including a low shot that was only a few feet wide from Oliveira.
But De Vries had to keep his concentration to deny MK Dons a goal when Dean Bowditch connected sweetly from 10 yards.
Ben Osborn saw a shot blocked and another saved by Martin in the space of a few seconds, before the keeper then made an outstanding save, plunging low to his left, to flick a Henri Lansbury free-kick around the post.
Oliveira then bent an ambitious effort towards goal from 30 yards - and was only denied by the upright.
Forest suffered a blow when Pinillos sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Jack Hobbs.
When Eric Lichaj dragged down Murphy in the box, Maynard had the chance to pull one back from the spot but the striker was denied when De Vries saved brilliantly, low to his right.
Murphy did pull one back in the 81st minute when he drove a shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards, leading to a nervous finish in a game Forest should have won comfortably.
Source: PA
