A lively start saw both goalkeepers worked inside the opening few minutes - firstly Bart Verbruggen who got behind Omari Hutchinson’s effort from a wide angle, before Matz Sels, on his return to the Forest team, kept out Kaoru Mitoma.
The Belgian would be beaten shortly after though as Pascal Gross’ delicate pass sat up nicely for Diego Gomez, who superbly smashed a half-volley into the far corner from an acute angle.
However, Brighton were not ahead for long as Igor Jesus got Forest up the pitch before squaring for Morgan Gibbs-White, who produced an equally impressive finish from the edge of the box to find the top corner.
The Tricky Trees shot themselves in the foot though, as Brighton retook the lead with their next attack as Jack Hinshelwood knocked the ball down for Danny Welbeck to turn and score his 10th league goal this season.
The Seagulls were dominant from there and really should have extended their advantage before half-time, but Sels rushed out to smother Mitoma’s close-range effort, before Welbeck almost netted his brace with a strike from distance that eventually fizzed inches wide.
Forest have now trailed nine away league matches at the break - the joint-worst record alongside their opponents, Brighton.
The hosts continued their momentum into the second half as Mitoma tried his luck again, but shot wide at the near post after cutting inside.
Gross' deflected free-kick was also parried by Sels, but Brighton could not extend their lead. Forest grew in confidence as a result, as Elliot Anderson curled over from the edge of the area, before Taiwo Awoniyi directed a header just wide in the closing stages.
However, the visitors could not find an equaliser as they slumped to a third successive defeat under Vitor Pereira, leaving them just two points above the drop zone as Fabian Hurzeler’s side rise to 11th place and ease any potential relegation fears of their own.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion)
