Davies praises Forest's firm response to derby setback

Billy Davies, the Nottingham Forest manager, was delighted by his team's response to losing their long unbeaten record to neighbours Derby County last weekend as Forest won 2-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday thanks to two Dexter Blackstock goals.

"I was just pleased that we showed the character to win what was a very difficult game against a team who had won four out of their last five matches," Davies said. "It was a good test for us, having lost our first game in 20 to our nearest and dearest last weekend. But it was important for us to dig in and show the mettle we needed to come off the pitch with three points."

Forest are third in the Championship, one point behind West Bromwich Albion in second, while Swansea City in fifth also consolidated their play-off place with a 2-0 home win over Preston. First-half goals from David Cotterill and Ashley Williams put the Swans in charge and manager Paulo Sousa said: "I think it was a complete performance, but perhaps we could score a few more goals."

At the bottom, Crystal Palace continued their spirited response to going into administration by winning 2-1 at 10-man Scunthorpe. "This business has drawn us all closer together," manager Neil Warnock said. "These players just do not know when they are beaten."