Neil Harris continued his unbeaten start to life at Cardiff City with a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest, to give the Bluebirds their first away victory of the season thanks to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s first-half goal.

Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport

The Bluebirds continued their impressive record against Forest, with the Welsh side now undefeated in 10 matches against the hosts and coming away with victory on nine of those occasions.

Forest started brightly with former Bluebird loanee Sammy Ameobi and Joao Carvalho having early efforts on goal, but failed to test City keeper Neil Etheridge on either occasion.

Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport

The deadlock was broken at the City Ground by Mendez-Laing’s curling shot finding the bottom right-hand corner, after he was set up by Cardiff wide man Lee Tomlin, breaching Forest’s defence in the process as they set out in search for a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

The Bluebirds continued their resolute defensive approach carrying on from their midweek victory over Stoke, giving up the large portion of possession again with the hosts registering 69%.

Sabri Lamouchi’s Forest put Cardiff under the pump for long periods but were unable to capitalise on their dominance, with just one attempt on target out of 31 goal attempts; with that coming just before the break which saw Sammy Ameobi’s shot hit straight at Neil Etheridge.

Alex Davidson/Getty Images Sport

City were unfortunate not to double their advantage shortly after the break, following on from another counter attack. Mendez-Laing’s cross came from deep down the right flank finding Gary Madine in the penalty box with the striker setting the ball off for Junior Hoilett, whose shot was cleared of the line by Forest defender Joe Worrall.

Cardiff, who have taken seven points from nine since Harris took over from Neil Warnock, move up to 10th, while Forest stay fourth after their third home defeat of the season.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Figueiredo, Worrall, Grabban, Watson, Carvalho (Semedo 66′), Cash, Robinson (Mir 79′), Ameobi (Adomah 75′), Lolley, Silva. Subs Not Used: Smith, Bostock, Dawson, Rodriguez.

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier, Bennett, Flint, Nelson, Bacuna, Pack, Tomlin, Mendez-Laing (Paterson 79′), Hoilett (Morrison 85′), Madine (Ward 66′).

Subs Not Used: Smithies, Coxe, Vaulks, Murphy.

Referee: Robert Jones

Attendance: 28,209