Brian Stock rifled home a 44th minute thunderbolt from 35 yards to earn Rovers a deserved win, after Forest failed to reproduce their recent form.
Colin Calderwood's side were booed off the pitch by their own fans, after failing to add to their back to back wins over Chesterfield and Huddersfield.
After scoring five goals on Saturday, Forest were limited to a handful of chances by well organised opposition who attacked dangerously on the break.
James Coppinger came close to powering the visitors into the lead with a curling free-kick that brought the best from Paul Smith, who did well to hold on to the powerfully struck shot as it arrowed under his bar.
Forest were furious at being denied a fairly blatant penalty moments later, as a Kris Commons ball into the box sent Junior Agogo charging forward, only for the striker to be felled by a clumsy challenge from Adam Lockwood.
Referee Taylor was not convinced however, allowing play to continue - and Doncaster to forge an attack that almost lead to them taking the advantage.
Coppinger was a key figure again as he crossed from the right for Mark McCammon, who dived in bravely to connect with a header, but saw Wes Morgan make an equally determined block.
Morgan had to defend well again, to throw his body into the path of a Sean Thornton shot, while Mark Wilson fired a half chance wide of the post, as Doncaster grew in confidence.
The game was delayed for several minutes as Doncaster were forced into a change, with McCammon picking up a shoulder injury in an aerial challenge with Julian Bennett.
It did not halt Doncaster's momentum however as they powered their way into the lead in spectacular fashion, with Stock striking a breath-taking 35-yard drive out of nothing, which simply flew into the top corner as Smith looked on helpless.
It took until the 66th minute for Forest to truly threaten, with Commons forcing a fine save from veteran keeper Neil Sullivan, who reacted superbly to palm a low, powerful effort around the upright.
Two minutes later and Forest really should have scored, only for Agogo to fire badly over from a knock-down from substitute Nathan Tyson.
Smith had to produce a smart reaction save to deny Bruce Dyer as he pounced on an under-hit John Curtis back pass.
Meanwhile Forest never really forced the kind of pressure that suggested an equaliser could be on the horizon.