Malpas has set out his template to Swindon's season by demanding at least play-off contention and saw his side set about promotion chasing Forest in a business like manner in atrocious conditions.
Swindon took a deserved first-half lead when Jon-Paul McGovern was given the opportunity to curl in a wicked free-kick which James Perch headed past team-mate Paul Smith.
Smith kept Forest alive twice denying Billy Paynter in the first half and Craig Easton at the start of the second.
The keeper's efforts were rewarded when Forest equalised out of the blue when Luke Chambers rose highest at the far post to head home Arron Davies' corner.
But Swindon, who always showed the greater appetite and commitment, were not to be denied and new signing Moses Ashikodi made an instant contribution from the bench.
The conditions conspired to rob Swindon of the lead when Blair Sturrock's shot beat Smith, but stuck in the mud to allow Wes Morgan to clear off the line and earn Forest substitute Julian Bennett a bizarre booking for taunting the home fans while warming up on the touchline.
Ashikodi's powerful thrust at the Forest defence opened the way for him to play in Jon-Paul McGovern, whose cross was headed past a despairing Smith by the otherwise excellent Ian Breckin.
Forest barely deserved anything from the game although manager Colin Calderwood was up in arms when his side were denied a late penalty, as substitute Nathan Tyson appeared to be bundled over in the penalty area.