Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman has claimed that his side's ability to stick to their gameplan helped them to victory at Birmingham City.

The Reds took three points at St Andrew's thanks to a second-half strike from Dexter Blackstock, although the Blues had chances to take the lead prior to that.

However, Freedman is adamant that his team were the better side over the course of the game.

He told the club's official website: "Birmingham have got a fantastic record this season - they've been playing very well. It would have been foolish of me not to have a gameplan. The credit's got to go to the players for sticking to that.

"I felt we defended very well in the first half without showing too much of an attacking threat. Second half, we defended equally as well but showed a little bit more going forward, resulting in us having some opportunities and taking one.

"There can be no complaints that over the 95 minutes we were once again the better side and deserved to win the game."

Forest are now eighth in the Championship, three points off an automatic promotion slot.