Dougie Freedman maintained his unbeaten record as Nottingham Forest manager after they strolled to a 3-0 victory away to Reading.
Goals from Osborn, Fryatt and Gardner sealed the Reds’ fifth win in six games and leaves them ninth in the Championship.
After enduring a cagey first half, Ben Osborn’s rasping long-range strike broke the deadlock on 56 minutes.
The visitors then went on to dominate proceedings, with Matty Fryatt slotting home the second and Gary Gardner securing all three points with another long-range effort.
The win leaves a resurgent Forest side nine points behind the much sought after play-off places.
Notts County
Shaun Derry’s side found themselves crawling closer to the lower reaches of League One following a disappointing home loss to mid-table Port Vale.
It was a frustrating afternoon at Meadow Lane and Mark Marshall’s first-half finish compounded the misery for County – confirming their ninth loss in 12 league games.
The Magpies now lie 19th in the table and only three points off the relegation zone.
Mansfield Town
The Stags helped to alleviate fears of relegation at the weekend – overtaking fellow League Two strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge with 2-1 victory.
The hosts, Mansfield, took the lead minutes after the interval through Reggie Lambe’s close-range finish.
After Jamie Cureton restored parity for the Daggers on the 60th minutes, Junior Brown snatched a late winner for Mansfield to move them up to 18th place in the table.
Adam Murray’s side now sit five points clear from the relegation zone.
