Vito Mannone was beaten by Hillal Soudani's first goal for Forest since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb
Algeria international Hillal Soudani's second-half strike earned Nottingham Forest victory against Reading, who have lost their opening two Championship games.
The optimism of a sold-out City Ground was quietened by a dull first half, with Reading having the best chance when Costel Pantilimon saved Yakou Meite's effort with his legs.
But a double substitution just before the hour gave Forest extra edge, with Soudani curling in a terrific left-footed shot past Vito Mannone just 12 minutes after replacing £13.2m club record signing Joao Carvalho.
The Royals contained Forest for long spells in a match of few chances, but still await their first point of the new season.
Forest had again been busy in midweek, taking their summer arrivals to 13 with the season-long loan capture of West Ham right-back Sam Byram and deadline-day signing of Michael Hefele, but with the game coming too soon for both, it was another new boy Soudani who grabbed the limelight on his full debut.
There was no place in Reading's matchday squad for Liam Moore despite the centre-back having withdrawn his transfer request, while Reading boss Paul Clement gave striker Sam Baldock his full debut following his move from Brighton.
The Royals started the second half brightly, with Meite's header looping inches wide - one of the few moments of danger from either side - but they were unable to find the net for a fifth away game running.
Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka:
"It was fresh legs that made a difference and it is important to know that everyone is important in this team.
"A player who is in the stand for one game can be on the pitch in the next game. They all need to understand that they will all have their chance.
"Hilal was trying to show that he can play very well. I am really pleased because this was an important game and an important win."
Reading boss Paul Clement told BBC Berkshire:
"It was too not bad a performance, particularly away from home against a team that played very well in their last game here.
"I thought we did enough in terms of clear-cut chances to at least score a goal, and if you get the first one you're in pole position, but we obviously haven't managed to convert the opportunities that we had.
"I thought overall our match-winning chances were better than theirs. They might have had more of the ball or maybe had more shots, but in terms of match-winning opportunities, we had the advantage.
"The reality is we're an improving team. I can see the improvement so I'm not worried."
