Britt Assombalonga and George Saville were the goalscorers for Boro and despite Loic Mbe Soh’s first goal for the club, it was a disappointing evening for Forest.
Speaking after the game, Hughton said: “We never really got going against a team that play a certain way, man-for-man all over the park. We needed to impose ourselves more on them, which we weren’t able to do.
“I can’t say we deserved to get a result from the game. I thought we were up against a tough team today, they play to their strengths, but they’ve got quality in the side and I thought in the moments they needed too, they showed that.”
Assombalonga’s goal came before Forest could get into the game before Saville doubled the visitors' lead five minutes after the half-time break.
Speaking about the timings of the goals, he said: “The timing of the first one didn’t allow us to get into a rhythm of the game and at least get in at half-time 0-0.
“The timings of both goals went against us, but I can’t say we were the better side.”
With Ryan Yates being replaced in the second half, the Forest manager confirmed he will be assessed.
He said: “I think it’s possibly his calf, but I shall find out. At the time, it didn’t look good. As we know with Ryan, he’s a tough individual so we’ll assess that one and I’m hoping it’s not too bad.”