Billy Davies' side were left to wonder how they had failed to get something from the match after creating a host of chances.
But Blackpool still left the City Ground with three points, to follow up their remarkable 2-1 success over high-flying Newcastle United earlier in the week, as a solo strike from Charlie Adam ensured Forest's third defeat in four home matches in the Championship this season.
Blackpool almost shocked their hosts with an early goal as Hameur Bouazza took advantage of some generous defending to cut in from the right and fire a vicious shot across the face of goal, with Keith Southern almost getting a vital touch to steer the ball home as it flashed wide at the far post.
Forest could have scored three times in the space of five minutes as they found their stride.
Nathan Tyson carved out a free header for Chris Cohen with his pace down the left, but the midfielder headed straight at Paul Rachubka when unmarked at the far post.
A Chris Gunter cross then laid on an identical chance for Robert Earnshaw, who also directed his header right into the arms of the grateful keeper.
While Rachubka produced a fine save to deny Tyson after David McGoldrick's fine pass had sent him scampering into the box.
But it was the visitors who struck on the break, as Adam picked up the ball on the edge of the centre circle and simply ran at the Forest goal, sidestepping Guy Moussi and Wes Morgan before rolling a composed finish inside the post from just inside the box in the 19th minute.
Forest slowly began to exert their domination once more and were cruelly unlucky not to level when Earnshaw connected with a Cohen cross to force another impressive save from Rachubka, who regained his feet to block immediately as Moussi strikes the rebound, with Alex Baptiste then clearing off the line as Earnshaw struck for a second time.
Blackpool could have gone two ahead early in the second half as Jason Euell broke the offside trap, but Morgan and Lee Camp combined to deflect the shot wide.
Earnshaw was Forest's central figure as they went in search of a goal, sending Chris Cohen racing into the box from the left to fire into the side netting and then seeing Rachubka save as he rose to plant a header at the far post.
There was a moment of controversy as Cohen sent McGoldrick racing into the box where Rachubka hauled him down - only for referee Andy Penn to haul play back for a very late offside flag.
But Blackpool were able to hang on for a result that established them in the top half of the table and left Forest to look over their shoulders.