The Tykes recovered from a hammering at Huddersfield last weekend to secure a crucial 1-0 victory in their fight against relegation from the Championship and in doing so made it three defeats on the spin for the Reds.
"I think the performance and giving something back to the fans today was a major, major priority for us," said Wilson, who admitted that his side went through a 'nervy' last 20 minutes as Forest poured forward in search of an equaliser.
For the visitors, in their first match of five when boss Billy Davies is banned from the touchline and the dressing room, assistant manager David Kelly spoke to the press afterwards.
"We deserved at least a point, if not all three. You need a bit of fortune sometimes, especially when it's a bit of a bobbly pitch.
"I can't criticse the players at all. The gaffer worked on things on Thursday and Friday for the specifics of the game today and we did everything except score the goal that was required."