Harry Bunn showed his striker's instinct to end luckless Forest's unbeaten start to the campaign and settle a cracking Academy League match at Platt Lane.

Forest missed a penalty and clipped a post late on as they fought to salvage a point but it was the young Blues who emerged triumphant to celebrate a hat-trick of victories following wins over Arsenal and Reading.

And Bunn earned a nod of approval from his watching father and former Oldham star Frankie with his decisive finish, delivering a telling low shot on the half-hour despite a defender's strong challenge.

Forest keeper Zannettos Mytides got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out, and for all their efforts thereafter the visitors failed to spoil James Wood's clean sheet despite enjoying sparkling spells.

Forest had despatched Cardiff 4-2 in Wales and pipped Portsmouth 3-2 in a opening to the season, but when they managed to infiltrate skipper Kim Skogsrud's defence, their finishing was unexpectedly wayward.

Even when Wood clearly sent Kierman Freeman sprawling in the penalty area after 63 minutes, Robbie Gibbons directed  a disappointing spot kick wide of the keeper's left-hand post to squander their best chance.

And as City held out for the three points deep into injury time, substitute Joe Swindell was presented with a great opportunity to snatch an equaliser but stroked his shot against the outside of the same post.

Blues might have had more than Bunn's decider, with Adam Drury's close-range header at the far post rattling the bar from an Alex Henshall corner when a goal would have put City a more comfortable 2-0 in front.

Courtney Meppen-Walters forced a good reaction save from Mytides before the break, and Paul Clowes teased a fingertip save on the hour as City pressed against a Forest defence well marshalled by Jamaal Lascelles.

City's first half was not their best, but Forest looked likely to be a handful for most sides, and Thomas Boyake's introduction after an hour livened things up with the Blues trying to stick to their passing principles.