You have to search back almost 15 years for the last time Nottingham Forest won away at Derby County.

But on that Wednesday night, not only did it guarantee bragging rights for the Reds fans, it virtually sealed an instant return to the Premiership.

Goals from Colin Cooper and Steve Stone secured a 2-0 win at the Baseball Ground and meant with three games left, Forest knew victory at Peterborough on the Saturday would mean a return to the top flight.

And by inflicting defeat on their arch rivals in their own back yard, it also rocked the Rams' bid for a play-off spot at the same time.

It was tenth away win of the campaign and it was two of Frank Clark's major signings and a defender he sold who played major roles in this comfortable success.

Cooper's perfectly and powerfully-struck free kick, won by Stan Collymore, gave Forest a crucial early advantage after surviving Derby's opening onslaught.

Collymore was also involved in the second, bravely challenging Martin Taylor, before Gary Charles - sold by Clark for £750,000 - made himself an obvious candidate for Question of Sport's "What happened next?"

His inexplicable attempt at a back pass, which would have been more suicidal than any he ever attempted in a Red shirt, was redirected by the tireless Steve Stone's outstretched boot and it crept in at the near post for his third goal in successive games.

Mark Crossley played his part with two important saves to deny Paul Kitson, who presented the only real threat from Derby.

And Clark, in his first year as manager after taking over from the retired Brian Clough, was delighted to beat their local rivals and put themselves on the brink of the Premiership.

"It was an excellent team performance," he said. "Everyone of them worked for each other.

"That was certainly Stan Collymore's best performance for the team since he signed.

"He might not have scored but he played a part in the two goals, and I will settle for that every week".

And Clark was delighted to be proving himself as manager.

He said: "I know I was way down the list of runners and riders when the job came up, but I always felt I could do it.

"I wasn't the people's choice, I wasn't the bookies' choice and I wasn't the media's choice.

"Even when I got it, people told me I wasn't first choice. But I would have taken it if I'd been 15th choice. I'm just delighted I got the chance."

Derby: Taylor, Charles (Kavanagh, 76), Nicholson (Hayward, 80), Harkes, Short, Williams, Cowans, Gabbiadini, Kitson, Pembridge, Simpson. Sub not used: Sutton.

Forest: Crossley, Lyttle, Pearce, Cooper, Chettle, Stone, Phillips, Gemmill, Bohinen, Collymore, Woan. Subs not used: Tiler, Rosario, Wright.

Attendance: 19,300