Young defender Joe Worrall signed a new long-term deal with Forest in October
Joe Worrall scored his first senior goal as Nottingham Forest bounced back from successive defeats to beat Bolton.
Barrie McKay turned in Tyler Walker's low ball from close range to put Forest ahead, but Will Buckley headed Bolton level from Josh Vela's cross.
Worrall pounced on a loose clearance to smash home and Liam Bridcutt put Ben Brereton clear to make it 3-1.
Aaron Wilbraham set up a nervy finale as he reduced the arrears with a deflected finish in stoppage time.
Walker's early goal proved a good omen for the hosts who have won every time they have scored the opener this season.
But aside from Jak Alnwick turning Walker's shot around the post, Bolton grew into the game, albeit without threatening Jordan Smith's goal until Buckley's equaliser.
Gary Madine and Vela had golden chances to put Wanderers in front after the break as they chased a first Championship away win in 36 attempts, but both headed off-target when unmarked.
Mark Warburton's side took advantage of their let-offs and looked comfortable for most of the second half, but were still made to sweat at the death as Wilbraham almost carved out a last-gasp equaliser.
Forest, who made it four wins in their past five home matches, move up two places to 11th, while Bolton's second defeat in 10 leaves them 21st and above the bottom three on goal difference.
Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton:
"We have spoken in the dressing room about how we can deal with games like this better. You have to stand up and fight, but you also have to do what you do well.
"We got drawn into a physical battle and we went a little too direct. Other teams are better than us, when we try to play that kind of game, that is something we must improve on.
"There are no easy games in this division. They are very good at what they do. You have to stand up, but our back four did that, we did that as a team. It is difficult, but you have to deal with it."
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson:
"We nearly got back in it at the end, so we are hugely disappointed not to have got something.
"I thought a lot of our play was great today but the second goal was the key moment that changed it; that changed the course of the game.
"We are absolutely disappointed that we did not get all three points, never mind one. We have been punished by the third goal, when we had gone three at the back to chase it and left ourselves a little more open."
