It was an away trip with a difference today. Since Sam Hammam's arrival at Ninian Park three seasons ago, expectation amongst many City supporters has been ridiculously high.

Victories have been expected, and anything else other than three points has usually resulted in booing from City supporters, but today's visit to the City Ground saw the home side favourites for victory, and the majority of travelling Bluebirds were expecting little more than that.

Even the optimistic South Wales Echo predicted a 3-0 victory for the former European Champions, and the bookies (who from past experiences I can tell you are rarely wrong!) had City's odds for victory as the longest in the division.

City fans though, got more than they expected, and the bookies were, for once, wrong as Cardiff came away from the City Ground with a very impressive 2-1 victory.

The Bluebirds scored both of their goals within the opening six minutes, with Robert Earnshaw and skipper Graham Kavanagh on the scoresheet.

Earnshaw gave City the lead with only 85 seconds gone on Howard Webb's watch. The Zambian-born striker managed to lose his marker, Michael Dawson and scuffed his shot passed Darren Ward in the Forest goal.

It was the perfect start for the visitors, but things got even better as Graham Kavanagh doubled the lead courtesy of a superb free-kick. The Cardiff skipper unleashed a curling strike which flew into the top right corner of Forest's net and gave the 'keeper no chance.

Forest were left stunned by the lighting City start, but to their credit did not lie back and created several good chances throughout the rest of the half.

The Bluebirds were still creating chances of their own though, and Chris Barker could have all-but finished the game in the tenth minute. Kavanagh delivered in a neat corner to the left back, but his header went wide of the target.

Striker David Johnson had what was probably Forest's best chances of the half, when he shot across the face of the City goal, but was unlucky to see his effort go inches wide.

Mid-way through the first-half, tempers reached a climax as John Robinson clashed with Matthieu Louis-Jean in the midfield. The Welsh international had already been booked in the early stages, and it looked as if he may be facing an early bath, but the referee was lenient, only awarding the free-kick.

Robert Earnshaw had a good chance to double his league goalscoring tally for the season when he latched onto a good through ball from Graham Kavanagh, but City's top scorer from last season could not finish the opportunity.

The final 15 minutes of the half were dominated by Forest, with Dawson, Johnson and Williams all having good chances.

Forest also had a good penalty claim turned down when Johnson went down from a challenge from Kavanagh, but the referee, who was quickly earning the friendship of the 2,404 travelling City supporters, waved play-on.

Forest continued to pile on the pressure, but some good goalkeeping from Neil Alexander, and a solid centre defensive partnership of Daniel Gabbidon and Tony Vidmar denied Forest a goal, and the Bluebirds went in at half-time two goals to the good.

Half Time - Nottingham Forest 0-2 Cardiff City

Forest came out really fired up for the second-half, with their spell of dominant pressure towards the end of the opening period clearly providing a massive boost of confidence.

Johnson had the first chance of the half, with a powerful drive which was palmed out by Neil Alexander, and the home side had a penalty claim turned down moments later after Gabbidon challenged Harewood.

Only seconds after John Robinson was replaced by Mark Bonner, Forest had got themselves back into the game with a Marlon Harewood strike. Harewood won the ball in the City box from a cross, turned and sent a superb drive past Neil Alexander. His goal gave the players and the 21,000 Forest supporters hope of at least a point, but it proved little more than conciliation for Forest.

Forest had a few desperate attempts at goal in the closing stages, but the Bluebirds also had one good chance. Richard Langley, who made his first start in a City shirt this afternoon, sent a neat cross into Earnshaw who was left unmarked in front of goal, but he skied his shot into the stands.

City's record breaking goalscorer should have scored, but his miss meant more nail-biting for the travelling City fans as the game went into stoppage time.

In the dieing seconds, Forest won a corner, and the result saw a goal mouth scramble which finally resulted in a shot at goal. Neil Alexander, who had been superb all match, got his finger tips to it, before diving over the ball to keep City ahead.

Peter Thorne was thrown on to waste time in the dieing seconds, but it was still pleasing to see the former Stoke City striker, who has spent the last few weeks out with injury.

City managed to hold on, and earn a very impressive and equally valuable three points against one of the leagues better sides, which was our first Division one victory. Next up for the Bluebirds is Derby County on Monday 26th, and City will go in with added confidence after this victory.

Paul Hart's Forest will look to bounce back from two straight defeats as they take on Coventry City at Highfield Road on Monday.

Full Time - Nottingham Forest 1-2 Cardiff City

Nottingham Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Thompson, Oyen, Williams, Stewart, Reid, Jess, Johnson, Harewood.
Subs: Morgan, Roche, Bopp, Westcarr, Sonner.

Cardiff City: Alexander, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Langley, Kavanagh, Robinson, Boland, Lee, Earnshaw.
Subs: Thorne, Collins, Whalley, Bonner, Margetson.

Alexander had a superb game, and it starting to show shines of fulfilling his potential as a goalkeeper.

I was one of the many critics who wanted to see Martyn Margetson between the sticks for City last season, but Alexander has worked hard at his game and is earning his place as City's Number 1.

He is improving on crosses, and commanded his box well today.

The Scotsman made a series of good saves, including one magnificent stop in the closing stages, but could do nothing to stop Harewood's strike in the 70th minute.

Tony Vidmar was also a candidate for the man of the match award.

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