Chris Hughton's men should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Gordon Greer latched onto Danny Holla's corner from the right, but he could only guide his header past the post.

Forest keeper Karl Darlow kept his team level as he made a smart save to tip a headed effort from Lewis Dunk past the post after the defender had attacked Holla's cross at the back post.

Brighton continued to have the better of the chances and came close again when Inigo Calderon drilled an effort from distance just past the post, after being well teed up by Rohan Ince.

The home side did take the lead just before the break when another delivery from Holla caused chaos in the Forest box, and Dunk was there to poke the ball home from close range.

However, Forest hit back in the 44th minute when Danny Collins latched onto a free kick at the back post to guide his header into the net with the aid of the woodwork.

In the second half, the home side tried to re-establish their advantage and came close when Joe Bennett released the run of Joao Teixeira, but his shot from a tight angle was saved by Darlow.

Freedman's men took the lead in the 63rd minute when Henri Lansbury collected a pass on the edge of the area and fired a low effort past David Stockdale into the bottom corner.

Brighton almost levelled the scores immediately as Teixeira weaved his way into the penalty area, but his low strike crashed off the post, while Holla failed to convert the rebound.

The home side pressed for an equaliser but could not find a way through Darlow, and Forest notched their third goal in the 86th minute as Ben Osborn latched onto Chris Burke's cross at the back post to fire the ball past Stockdale.

Hughton's men were not done and Beram Kayal powered Kazenga LuaLua's corner past Darlow at his near post.

They pushed again for a leveller, but Forest managed to hold out for the three points to hand Freedman his first win.