Nottingham Forest recorded successive Premier League (PL) victories on the road for the first time since January, with Igor Jesus’ decisive second-half header sealing a gritty 1-0 win over bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Wolves entered the clash in dire straits, having collected only two points from their opening 13 league fixtures — one of just three teams across Europe’s top-five leagues still searching for a first win of the campaign.

Forest immediately took control in the Midlands, carving out early sights of goal as Jesus and Dan Ndoye both sent headed efforts wide from promising positions inside the area.

Dominant for much of the first period, the visitors tried to turn possession into productivity as half-time approached. They thought they’d found the breakthrough when Jesus nodded home from close range, only for an offside against Ndoye in the buildup to spoil the celebrations.

That reprieve lifted Wolves, who emerged from the interval with more purpose — and they nearly stunned Forest when Jhon Arias directed a free header wide from eight yards, squandering the hosts’ best opportunity of the evening.

The narrow escape jolted Forest back into action. Neco Williams forced Sam Johnstone into a superb save from a bending free-kick, before the Wolves goalkeeper again denied Omari Hutchinson moments later.

But Sean Dyche’s men finally found reward for their renewed pressure in the 72nd minute. Hutchinson delivered a teasing cross into the danger zone, allowing Jesus to get ahead of Johnstone and power in his maiden Premier League goal.

Facing the prospect of an eighth straight league defeat, Rob Edwards’ side applied late pressure in hope of snatching a point. Substitute Matheus Mané dragged a shot across goal from a good angle, and Marshall Munetsi saw a weak attempt gathered safely by Matz Sels as Forest stood firm.

The visitors successfully navigated the closing moments to complete a third win in four PL outings, while Wolves’ dreadful run at home continues — now nine top-flight matches without a victory (D2, L7) at Molineux.