Forest had the chance to make a perfect start when they were awarded an early penalty after Pervis Estupinan clumsily fouled Neco Williams.
But Jason Steele produced a big save to deny Johnson’s spot-kick and the hosts missed their chance.
Brighton took the lead in the 38th minute as they capitalised on poor handling from Keylor Navas.
The Chilean goalkeeper palmed Solly March’s shot straight out into the danger zone and Facundo Buonanotte celebrated his first Premier League start with the easiest of tap-ins.
Forest levelled deep into first-half injury time as Pascal Gross put through his own net when he tried to clear Renan Lodi’s cross at the near post, ensuring a frantic first half ended 1-1.
Forest took the lead in the 69th minute with a goal out of nowhere as Danilo closed down Moses Caicedo on the halfway line and then raced on to Awoniyi’s pass and slotted into the far corner to send the City Ground wild.
Forest made sure of the points late on when Morgan Gibbs-White converted from the spot after Lewis Dunk had handled from a corner.
Here’s how the Albion players rated at the City Ground...
Brighton took the lead in the 38th minute as they capitalised on poor handling from Keylor Navas.
![Brighton best player on the night and perhaps the most fresh. Very calm on the ball and dealt well with the physicality of Awoniyi in the early stages. Very good defending especially in later stages when exposed at the back](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUxYTBjN2U1LWNjODAtNGZiZS1iZTY0LTM3ZGNmNzkwN2EyMjo2ZDU5NTdlZS1iOGY2LTRiZDMtOGY0OS05YjRjMDcyYThhMWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
5. Levi Colwill 7
Brighton best player on the night and perhaps the most fresh. Very calm on the ball and dealt well with the physicality of Awoniyi in the early stages. Very good defending especially in later stages when exposed at the back Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![Struggled. Tried to be a bit too clever in the box and got himself in a muddle to concede the penalty. Not at his best and perhaps still tired from the semi-final. Subbed on 73](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRjMGIxOWNlLTRmZjMtNGM5Yy05ZjEyLTJiNThlYTc1NzFjYTpiMGRjNDJhNi03ZTAwLTQ3OTYtYmQyNC1mMjQ4ZTY3NWM5YzM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
6. Pervis Estupinan 4
Struggled. Tried to be a bit too clever in the box and got himself in a muddle to concede the penalty. Not at his best and perhaps still tired from the semi-final. Subbed on 73 Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![Looked very good in the first half but along with the rest of the Albion players, he was outworked and outmuscled in the midfield areas after the break.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI2OTIzODJjLTc5ZWYtNDcxMC04YmI5LWM0NWQ3M2U1OThiYjpjZTM2MGRlMS00NGM4LTQ4OTQtYTRjNy03OWZlNDMwY2ZjN2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
7. Mpoises Caicedo 7
Looked very good in the first half but along with the rest of the Albion players, he was outworked and outmuscled in the midfield areas after the break. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![Played in an advanced role and another player just a little off the pace - hardly surprising considering the running he did at Webley three nights ago](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcxZDliMTNiLWFiM2YtNGEzMy1hZDdhLTY5NzYzMDI2YjJmNDowOWNmNzljYi1kMGE3LTQzYTAtODllZC1hYTk4ZmQ0MjQwMmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
8. Alexis Mac Allister 6
Played in an advanced role and another player just a little off the pace - hardly surprising considering the running he did at Webley three nights ago Photo: Clive Mason