Nahki Wells scored his ninth goal of the season in Huddersfield Town’s 3-0 win against out-of-form Nottingham Forest at John Smith’s Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.

Wells, who bagged a brace to earn his side a 2-2 draw away at Ipswich Town last weekend, finished from close range with a header in the 20th minute to hand Huddersfield a two-goal cushion.

The 24-year-old, who was recalled to Chris Powell’s starting line-up against Ipswich after being benched for the previous three games, looks to have forged a potent partnership with Grant Holt, on loan from Wigan Athletic, in a classic big man, little man combination.

Huddersfield took the lead after just 44 seconds when defender Joel Lynch headed home against his former side, who are now without a win in eight matches.

Wells, who was substituted in the 81st minute, doubled Huddersfield’s lead after linking up well with Holt, his burly strike partner.

Nine minutes after the break, Holt crashed a shot past Karl Darlow, the Forest goalkeeper, from Sean Scannell’s pass to help extend Huddersfield’s unbeaten run to seven matches.

Huddersfield, who climbed to fourteenth in the table, just five points outside the play-offs, travel to fourth-placed Derby County tomorrow.

Powell, the Huddersfield manager, hailed his side’s performance as the best on home soil during his short tenure in charge.

“I’ve been really impressed with our last few performances at home — especially Blackpool — but we topped that today,” Powell said. “That’s because of the start we had, the chances we created and the clean sheet — I like those!

“What was impressive was that the players put their bodies on the line.

“At 3-0 up in the 93rd minute I had Jack Robinson, Joel Lynch, Mark Hudson, Harry Bunn and Grant Holt back in there; you can’t ask for any more from all the players in that respect.

“They only got away a couple of times, but we had crucial moments like Joel Lynch’s tackle when he got a knock. Those moments are telling in any team’s performance.

“I thought our play was really good. We really put them under pressure and we were patient out of possession.”

Reggie Lambe was an unused substitute in Mansfield Town’s 2-1 defeat at home to Southend United in League Two. Meanwhile, Freddy Hall, the Bermuda goalkeeper, could not prevent Telford United slipping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers in the Vanarama Premier.