Steve Cotterill's side once again drew a blank in front of goal which, despite a decent display, left Forest open to the sucker punch, delivered by Miller on the hour mark as Cardiff maintained their promotion push.
The hosts end 2011 in rather a different position than they began it, with only Doncaster Rovers and Coventry City below them in the Championship.
Cotterill was left to pound a familiar beat after the game, saying: "We have had treble their number of shots and lost the game 1-0. It's difficult to take.
"There's not a lot wrong with us but we are putting ourselves under immense pressure by not taking the chances that come along.
"Once more I am saying we didn't deserve to lose but that was certainly the case today. I thought we were the better team but things are just not going for us."
Travelling back to Wales with the three points safely tucked away, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was happy enough to agree with Cotterill.
"If Forest keep playing like that they won't have any problems. I've never had an easy game against Forest or against Steve Cotterill and I certainly didn't have one today."