ROBERT Earnshaw believes Nottingham Forest's rearguard have been the unsung heroes of their climb into the play-off places.

And he said that the solid form of the back four and keeper Lee Camp can infuse the rest of the side with the confidence needed to maintain their recent run of form.

Forest have won six and drawn one of their last seven matches, ahead of Bristol City's visit to the City Ground tonight.

Billy Davies' side will be full of confidence following a dramatic 1-0 win over fierce rivals Derby County on Saturday.

And goal hero Earnshaw said that the Forest defence – which has conceded only 22 goals in 25 Championship matches – deserves huge credit.

"Our defence and keeper have been playing brilliantly for a little while now. I am not sure people always notice," he said.

"Overall, we have been very good. They were very tight on Saturday and they headed everything.

"Derby played long ball and were hoping to pick up little bits off the second ball.

"But the defence deserve credit for the way they dealt with things. They kept us in it."

Earnshaw admits Forest should have had the game killed off long before his 79th minute strike sealed three points.

"We should have put away our chances before that, so the defence had to keep us in the game when we didn't score," he said.

"But they did that. They got the clean sheet and that always gives you a boost.

"When you are tight at the back it gives you a lift, it gives you confidence that you can push forward again and look for another chance, another opportunity to score.

"We were calm because we had faith that they would keep that clean sheet.

"That is a big credit to them."

Luke Chambers says the defensive record is something the team should be looking to extend.

"If you look at our record, defensively, we are right up there," said the defender.

"We want to be the best defence in the league – make no mistake about that.

"We want people to look at us and say that we have kept another clean sheet every weekend.

"That is our job and, if we concede goals, we are not doing it.

"But we also have to defend as an 11 and, at times, we have not always done that.

"We have left ourselves wide open and, if we can tighten up more in possession, we will not be far away from keeping regular clean sheets."