NOTTINGHAM Forest's lightening start was integral to a massive win, says caretaker boss Gary Brazil.
Matt Derbyshire netted after only two minutes to put the Reds on their way to a hugely significant 1-0 win over Birmingham City.
Forest should have added to the score during a one-sided first half, leaving them to hang on a little in the final stages.
But Brazil believes finding the net so early was vital for their confidence, as Forest finally ended a run of 12 Championship games without a win.
"Scoring the first goal in any game helps, but particularly at the City Ground. We started on the front foot. We always ask the players to start with intensity, but we did that. We did not let Birmingham settle into any tempo," said Brazil.
"We moved the ball brightly and some of our passages of play were very, very good. We did not quite get the goals to match it. But the early goal was a good one. We wanted a second one to make it a more relaxed second half.
"Jamie (Paterson) missed a good opportunity when one-on-one with the keeper and we had other little opportunities to calm things. But I am pleased with the performance, as well as the points, because the performance bodes well for the last three games."
Brazil was delighted with the performance of the team, against a Birmingham side with a decent away record.
"Look at people like Ben Osborn, his performance was immense. Our two central defenders were fantastic, having David Vaughan back on the pitch was a massive influence for us in the first half," said Brazil.
"What we got out of David today, we hope we can get out of him again on Monday. We will nurture him and see what we can get.
"Ben is a boy that wants to get on the ball, he is a technical player. There has been a lot of work done with him over a number of years. Charlie McParland had been working with him in the under-21s and Billy had worked with him in the first team group.
"He was ready and I know they were close to giving him a chance. We have given him an opportunity and he has grabbed it. I thought he showed the potential he has.
"He has a lot to learn but he has energy and quality as well. He will be buoyed by playing like that in front of the home fans. He has got to get his head down and work hard.
"He could become a very influential player for this club in the long-term, but it was nice to see him play like that."
Forest will be without Lee Peltier at Leeds on Monday, with the midfielder unable to play against his parent club.
"Lee can't play against Leeds – and he has done well for us. Lee got a really heavy crack on the jaw in the first half. We think he might even have completed the second half with a broken jaw. He is a man," said Brazil.
"He still won a load of headers. He does the scruffy side of things for us really well in midfield. When you look at teams who compete at the top end of this division, you have to be good without the ball. Lee makes us stronger without the ball.
"He put in a really strong performance. His jaw will not look too pretty in the next few days. He won't be able to play against Leeds, but we hope he will be available for the game at Bournemouth."
Forest will also be without Andy Reid, who has suffered a potentially season ending calf injury, while they have significant doubts over Henri Lansbury (back), Kelvin Wilson (hamstring) and Danny Fox.
But Brazil says Forest will head to Leeds in a positive frame of mind.
"It is a lot more positive in the dressing room, we will go up to Elland Road in a positive frame of mind and have a real good go at this," he said.
"We have to go into the last three games and attack them. There is quality in this squad. If you can match that with energy and desire, anything can happen."
