Nottingham Forest reserves closed the gap on Totesport.com Central Division leaders Shrewsbury by edging past Port Vale 1-0 at The City Ground.

An own goal from Vale defender Gareth Owen moved second-placed Forest to within three points of Shrewsbury with two games left each.

However, the pursuit of the Totesport.com title was put in perspective on a poignant afternoon as the 20^th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster was commemorated.

The game kicked off five minutes later than it's scheduled 2pm start time, allowing both teams and supporters to stage a two-minute silence at 3.06pm in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives.

It was at that time that the FA Cup semi-final between Forest and Liverpool was stopped as fans spilled on to the pitch.

Both teams also wore black armbands as Forest's programme of home reserve games for the season ended on a sombre note.

Owen's 'strike' five minutes into the second half settled the contest.

There appeared to be little apparent danger when Joe Heath hammered a clearance downfield.

But a breakdown in communication between Owen and Daniel Weston resulted in the central defender sending a looping header over the on-coming 'keeper.

The goal gave Forest the impetus and James Reid went close to doubling Forest's lead 19 minutes from time as he fired just wide from the edge of the area.

It had been a far more evenly matched contest in the opening 45 minutes with the visitors having the better of the chances.

The Reds had goalkeeper Karl Darlow to thank in the 34^th minute when he saved Ross Davidson's close range follow-up after Danny Glover had fired against an upright.

Darlow also denied Glover and Steve Thompson as Vale strived to take the initiative before the interval.

Forest, meanwhile, went close to forging a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time through Arron Davies - one of four first team squad members included in the starting line-up - who saw his shot from distance deflected just inches wide of the target.

And Tim Hopkinson, fresh from scoring four times in last week's win over Macclesfield, was denied by the woodwork as his header from Heath's cross struck the bar.