It was a vastly improved performance that gave Forest a valuable three point which keep them just two points below the play-off zone.
The game will be remembered in part for the amazing ten yellow cards which the referee managed to hand out in a match that was far from bad tempered.
Forest were much the better side in the first half, taking control and creating 8 attempts on goal, with four on target to Bradford's one. And they were good value for their one goal lead at half time.
It was a much more untidy second half, with Bradford looking improved at the start. But Forest battled and still looked the better side although they were unable to add to the goal total.
Gary Megson was forced to make four changes to the side which suffered a humiliating defeat at Yeovil the week before. With Hoult being recalled, Taylor suspended and both Friio and Commons injured, it gave players such as Bopp a chance to prove they deserve a regular first team place.
A nice set piece in the first minute gave Forest a chance from a free kick wide left. Thompson ran in but Southall took the kick and the ball found Perch, whose shot forced an early save from the Bradford keeper.
Forest dominated the play giving Bradford few chances but they came close in the 14th minute when the ball went across the box, but Eaden defended the back post to get the ball away from Muirhead.
Forest had another chance which started with a good piece of play by Holt, who played a one-two with Lester before crossing to Johnson, who turned and shot from a tight angle forcing Ricketts to put the ball out for a corner.
Johnson was on target soon after, putting Forest in front in the 24th minute. The ball was fed in to him by Perch, after Bradford had initially made a clearance, and Johnson crashed the ball home from 8 yards out.
More good play by Forest started with a good ball by Eaden to Southall and when Bopp's ball flew across the 6-yard box it went just a fraction too high for Johnson to get on the end of it.
Badford had a rare opportunity just before half time when they were awarded a free kick just outside the D but Emanuel's shot went straight into the Forest wall.
Bradford kept possession well at the start of the second half and Gerrard dived bravely to prevent them equalizing when he pounced on the ball as Emanuel ran in late.
Johnson was denied a second goal by the offside flag after he headed in from Bopp's cross.
And as Forest got back into the game Lester missed a chance when he got the ball off Weatherall on the edge of the penalty area. As Lester tried to slide the ball under Ricketts and into the back of the net the Bradford keeper slid in and put the ball out for a corner.
The pace of the game slowed considerably as the half progressed and both sides struggled to keep possession or create anything.
A terrific run by Bopp down the left came to nothing when his ball failed to find anyone in the Bradford penalty area.
A slightly weary Johnson went off to a standing ovation with 15 minutes to play and was replaced by Bastians who was making his League debut.
Chances were still few and far between for both sides but Perch took his chance with a long range shot from 30 yards and his effort was only just over the crossbar.
Bradford went down to ten men when Holloway picked up a second yellow card for bringing Lester down as he looked like running clear on goal.
It had been quite an afternoon of bookings for Bradford, who picked up four yellow cards in the first half alone. The referee continued to add to the total in the second half with two more for Bradford and two for Forest.
A free kick for Bradford nearly 30 yards out went over the wall and was heading for the top of the net but Gerrard reached high to tip the ball over.
Bradford added to their total of bookings when Bastians was brought down and substitute Dadi had only been on for two minutes when he went into the book for kicking the ball away.
Fortunately the referee saw sense in not booking Gerrard in stoppage time when he threw the ball into the Trent End, in anger at Thompson whose back-header put the Forest goal under threat.
The atmosphere was tense as the four minutes plus of stoppage time was played out but Forest held on to their lead.
Nottingham Forest: Gerrard, Eaden, Morgan, Breckin (C), Thompson, Southall, Holt, Perch, Bopp (Dadi 88min), Johnson (Bastians 76min), Lester
Subs not used: Pedersen, Cullip, Curtis
Scorer: Johnson 24min
Bookings: Thompson 63min, Bopp 82min, Dadi 90min
Bradford City: Ricketts, Holloway, Taylor, Wetherall (C), Bower, Schumacher, Windass, Crooks (Kearney 67min), Muirhead (Cadamarteri 59min), Emanuel, Claridge (Cooke, 73min)
Subs not used: Howarth, Edghill
Bookings: Crooks 8min, Bower 15min, Holloway 28min, 83min, RED CARD, Claridge 37min, Schumacher 78min, Kearney 88min
Referee: G K Hegley
Attendance: 17,983 Away attn: 1,086
Nottingham Forest
Bradford City
Goal Attempts
11
5
Goal Attempts
On Target
6
2
On Target
Crosses
9
13
Crosses
Corners
7
4
Corners
Offside
7
10
Offside
Fouls
21
15
Fouls
Free kicks
25
28
Free kicks
Yellow cards3
6
Yellow cards
Red cards-
1
Red cards
% Possession
41
59
Possession %
