Bent sparked Birmingham into life in the second half
Birmingham moved into the automatic promotion places in the Championship after overpowering Nottingham Forest.
A quiet first half was rarely punctuated with any clear openings.
Marcus Bent finally brought the game to life in the second half when he found a yard of space in the area and slotted into the corner from close range.
A delicate lob from Keith Fahey looped over Paul Smith to secure the points for the home side and leave Forest looking nervously at the drop-zone.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish: "Results make a difference and if we don't get the result I'm a dud and if we do get the result then you're a great manager.
"You know the fickleness of the game and that's why we have to keep our sanity about the whole thing.
"I know we've stuttered a little bit but we have shown a toughness."
Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies: "This is very much a work in progress.
"This season is all about keeping our head above water, coming to Birmingham and losing will not define our season.
"I have got no doubt that I've got enough in my ranks to go and get the points necessary. We just lacked that ruthless streak."
Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Larsson, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Fahey (Bouazza 85), Carsley, Bowyer, Sinclair, Phillips (Jerome 31), Bent (Costly 76). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Queudrue.
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