Michail Antonio’s injury time goal prevented the Blues from claiming their first win at the City Ground in 15 years as Nottingham Forest and Town played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Daryl Murphy had twice put the Blues in front with Robert Tesche having grabbed the home side’s first equaliser.

Jonny Williams replaced Teddy Bishop in an otherwise Town side otherwise unchanged from the midweek draw at Sheffield Wednesday, again utilising three strikers.

Ex-Forest duo Luke Chambers and David McGoldrick also started for the Blues, but Paul Anderson missed out on a place in the 18 due to the hamstring injury he suffered in training on Friday.

Town, wearing their home shirt with blue shorts, started brightly and forced an early corner on the right, Murphy heading Williams’s flag-kick into Forest keeper Karl Darlow’s arms.

The home side threatened for the first time when Chris Burke cut the ball back from the right, then went even closer a minute later. After a freekick from the right had been cleared out to the left, Antonio sent over a cross to the far post which skimmed off Matty Fryatt’s head, on to the post and out of play.

The Blues had another fortunate escape on nine when Henri Lansbury’s low left-wing corner avoided everyone in the box before being seen out for a throw by Cole Skuse.

Town went close to breaking the deadlock on 12 after Tyrone Mings had crossed from the left. McGoldrick’s shot was blocked but Forest only half cleared and Sammon played Williams’s pass into the path of Murphy on the right but the Irishman blazed over when he should have done better.

It had been an entertaining and open start to the game. On 14 Berra nodded a Williams freekick wide, then at the other end Mings did well to get a toe in to dispossess Britt Assombalonga as the ex-Peterborough striker broke into the area.

Despite that opportunity, Town were gradually getting on top and in the 19th minute they went in front via one of the goals of the season.

Skuse sent a long ball down the right to Murphy, who took the ball down and inside full-back Eric Lichaj before bringing it into the area past Kelvin Wilson. He first feinted to shoot before smashing a left-foot strike into the corner of Darlow’s net for his fifth goal of the season and probably his best for the Blues.

Town continued to push after the goal, Darlow claiming a Parr header from another excellent Skuse ball, then Sammon ran into trouble on the left before he could feed McGoldrick having won the ball from Jack Hunt on halfway.

Forest were forced to replace Wilson with Jamaal Lascelles in the 29th minute, the centre-half having undergone treatment earlier in the half, then four minutes later Jay Tabb replaced Luke Hyam, who had been suffering with a knock prior to the game.

Chambers hooked a shot to Darlow on 40 before Williams was presented with a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 when Lansbury under-hit a back-pass to Darlow. However, the Wales international’s first touch allowed Michael Mancienne to get back to dispossess him.

Williams required treatment after a challenge with Lansbury just prior to the fourth official’s board announcing four additional minutes, but was OK to carry on.

The Blues found themselves somewhat under the cosh during injury time and shortly before the whistle Parr diverted Hunt’s right-wing cross behind ahead of Burke.

From the resultant corner Assombalonga claimed for a foul by Chambers, who in turn felt he’d been fouled, but referee James Linington brought what had been a lively half to an end.

Town, who had played some of their best football of the season, deserved their lead at the break having had one or two other decent chances in addition to Murphy’s excellent goal.

Forest had also had their moments, coming closest when Fryatt hit the post, but the Blues’ defence, and the outstanding Mings in particular, had held out.

Neither side created anything significant in the opening minutes after the restart. Parr blocked from Assombalonga on 52, Forest having broken quickly after Mings had been unable to find space to shoot on the edge of their box.

Five minutes later Lansbury picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Williams.

The home side were looking threatening and the Blues were increasingly finding themselves under pressure and on 59 only a fabulous Gerken save prevented Forest from getting on terms.

Hunt cut the ball back from the right and the Town keeper did superbly to stop Michail Antonio’s close-range effort low to his right. Two minutes later, Williams, who looked to be feeling the effects of Lansbury’s earlier foul, was replaced by Bishop.

In the 63rd minute the Forest pressure paid dividends. A mix-up between Chambers and Parr midway inside the Blues half saw Assombalonga break into the area on the left before the Norwegian full-back got back to stab behind.

However, from Burke’s corner on the left, Tesche nodded into the net at the far post. The goal had been coming with Forest having been very much on top since the break.

Stuart Pearce’s men continued to press Town back, Antonio shooting wide from the right and Burke curling an effort only just past the post having cut in from the other flank.

But on 71 the Blues went back in front with Murphy again the man on the scoresheet. Mings and Tab exchanged passes on the left before the full-back sent over a cross and Murphy powered a brilliant header beyond Darlow and into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

Forest seemed momentarily stunned to have gone behind again and a minute later McGoldrick found space to hit a low 25-yard effort which Darlow did well to hold on to.
The home side were within an inch or so of getting back on terms once again in the 74th minute when Antonio was threaded in on goal and rounded Gerken but Berra was on hand to clear off the line. The loose ball eventually fell to Assombalonga but Gerken had got back to block and the striker’s effort flew over the bar.

Tommy Smith replaced McGoldrick as the Blues switched to a five-man backline for the final quarter of an hour, then five minutes later ex-Blue Dan Harding was introduced by the home side.

Lansbury shot over as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, then Antonio, who had gone to ground very easily inside the penalty area on a number of occasions but without impressing referee Linington, lashed over as Forest continued to search for the equaliser but with the Blues holding firm and Berra a dominant presence.

But deep into five minutes of injury time, Forest levelled for the second time, again from a corner. Lansbury sent the ball to the far post and Antonio powered home much to the relief of the home support.

Pearce’s men continued to push in the remaining minutes but were unable to grab what would have been an undeserved winner.

Forest, still unbeaten in the league, will feel a draw was the least they deserved after dominating the second half, but the late equaliser was tough on the Blues - the better side in the first period - who had defended stoutly after regaining the lead via Murphy’s second excellent goal of the game.

While manager Mick McCarthy won’t be at all happy that his side conceded two goals from set pieces - on top of another at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday - and let the lead slip so late on, he won’t be too disappointed to go into the international break on a run of seven games without a defeat and with Town in sixth in the table.

Forest: Darlow, Lichaj (Harding 81), Mancienne (c), Wilson (Lascelles 29), Hunt, Lansbury, Tesche, Antonio, Burke (Veldwijk 75), Fryatt, Assombalonga. Unused: De Vries, Harding, Osborn, Grant, Paterson.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings Chambers (c), Berra, Skuse , Hyam (Tabb 33), Sammon, Williams (Bishop 61), Murphy, McGoldrick (Smith 75). Unused: Bialkowski, Bru, Henshall, Bajner. Referee: James Linington (Newport, IOW). Att: 24,354 (Town: 1,672).

Photo: Action Images

GiveusaWave added 07:31 - Oct 6 Absolutely gutted that we drew the game but we played exceptionally well, particularly in the first 60 mins. Credit to the team where credit is due, we ran them off the park at times and could have easily got the 3-0 result that I was hoping for. Saying that; their 2 goals were gifts and we simply can't defend like that if we intend to aim for promotion. Gerken in particular was at fault for both goals. Like blueboy has already stated, coaches need to drill them at defending set pieces, especially corners. Every time the opposition has a corner they look like they are going to score. Our defending is woeful at times and if we play like that in the Premier League we can be expected to be thrashed. Can't believe the Forest striker wasn't sent off for diving. Could compete against Tom Daley given his range of dives. Don't think I've ever seen a professional player diving so much. Even the Forest fans were wincing at his performances. I talked to a couple of fans afterwards and though they love his goals, they really can't stand his antics.

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Surco72 added 07:49 - Oct 6 I couldn't make the game and couldn't even get the score during the game so only heard the final score afterwards and was delighted with an away point against a team that has been top two all season and unbeaten , and that is the way we have to look at the result , it is an excellent away point and the fact we could have won it makes it better . We took it to them didn't park the bus for a point , MM is doing what some fans were questioning him about and we are two points off the top of the table give the manager and team some deserved credit , and any decent manager would sacrifice a striker for a defender to defend an away lead , that is basic football management

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ChrisFelix added 08:40 - Oct 6 Read somewhere that Forest considered us as a long ball team. The only team kicking it long was the home team. Disappointed to concede but I feel that 2 years we would have lost this one. Gerken made a couple of excellent stops but he continues to fail to dominate his area.He is the weakest link in the side which has come in leaps & bounds since MM arrived
2

Jimmy86 added 08:43 - Oct 6 I went to the game and whilst deflated that we conceded a 94th minute equaliser to poor defending from another set piece I came away proud to be an ipswich fan. Murphy is in the form of his life and is far outshining Mcgoldrick at the moment, which is no mean feat. Didz was certainly trying to hard yesterday and his performance suffered as a result. Mings was fantastic and still learning the game, perhaps needs to learn not to follow the ball so much, as that pulls him out of position. Jonny was outstanding and its a shame he had to go off due to being kicked off the park by that hateful little man lansbury, Gerken made some great saves but is poor in the air for crosses and corners, a better keeper would have prevented the 2nd goal going in. Assombolonga and antonio were diving little cheats, who should have been booked. Drawing 2-2 is no disgrace against a team with a massive playing budget and bigger wage structure. Unbeaten in 7 and 6th in the league, the progression is simply outstanding

4

PJH added 09:45 - Oct 6 Having got creditable draws away to Derby and Forest who are two of the best teams in the division,we can now call ourselves one of the best teams in the division.There is no reason to suppose that this will not continue and we can look forward to very exciting few months.Although few if any have mentioned it,I thought Sammon had a good game yesterday although I wish he had attempted to chip their keeper when he had the chance at 2-1.Skuse and Murphy also outstanding and Mings incredible,especially first half.Congratulations to all both on and off the pitch,there was a lot to be proud of.

1

Razor added 11:11 - Oct 6 Its now the day after and still hurts. OK Gerks made some great stops but like Dracula he hates crosses and does not command his six yard box (refer Naaarwich).Now time for Bartman I feel, felt that weeks ago actually. Mings---what a player this boy, one of best 45 mts I have seen from a player in an Ipswich shirt---outstanding. Actually agree with bringing Tommy Smith on yesterday, we were getting pounded and Dids was struggling as he had all game. Hey ho though, 2 weeks break to get everyone fully fit and 2 Saturday home games on the bounce, everything is possible.

1

hairbear added 12:12 - Oct 6 Spot on razor about bringing smith on. No body questioned the Chelsea boss yesterday when replacing Oscar for mikel and towards the end Forrest were chucking the kitchen sink at us! Sensible management. As for gerken, seems he's gonna be the next victim for abuse on here. Made some mistakes but people need to remember were a team of freebies punching well above our weight. COYB

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Philip added 14:01 - Oct 6 Is it just me or does McG still not look like he's back at full fitness? Since the start of the season he seems to be largely ineffective in the last 20 mins of the game..
0

Fat_Boy_Tim added 16:16 - Oct 6 Blueboy - You wanted me to check my facts, After a win you average 8 comments, a draw seems to merit 9 and a loss 14. If we take out the Wigan game where you went on and on about the last 15 minutes then the other 4 wins average just 4 of your rose tinted comments.
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houties added 16:29 - Oct 6 Where did the ref get all the injury time from? The mind boggles
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blueboy1981 added 17:41 - Oct 6 Fat Boy Tim ........... not a bad record then, for someone who allegedly 'only comes on here when we lose'. I rest my case. Proves also that I am NOT a good loser - and proud of it.
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rachelsdad added 17:46 - Oct 6 at the game sunday,great performance and gutted (like everyone) that they equalized so late in the game.we have looked a much better side since Chambers moved back to the center and we play with two "proper" fullbacks.The whole team played well but Berra and Mings were outstanding at the back, Skuse deserves a mention in midfield and Murphy took his goals well and is playing some of his best football. Forest paid several millions for their team and we were more than a match. roll on Blackburn

1

rachelsdad added 17:46 - Oct 6 at the game sunday,great performance and gutted (like everyone) that they equalized so late in the game.we have looked a much better side since Chambers moved back to the center and we play with two "proper" fullbacks.The whole team played well but Berra and Mings were outstanding at the back, Skuse deserves a mention in midfield and Murphy took his goals well and is playing some of his best football. Forest paid several millions for their team and we were more than a match. roll on Blackburn

0

neillrumsey added 19:33 - Oct 6 Yes disappointing to drop two points in injury time but 99% of us would have taken a draw prior to kick off. I for one have moaned about our performances as the football isn't great to watch, but in all fairness to MM he knows how to get a team playing and picking up points without spending any cash. I will bite my tongue regarding our style . Points mean prizes. Mings on fire need to ensure he's on a big contact before January or a big club could come in. Already surpasses Cresswell imo.. Great start lets continue 8 unbeaten. Gerks obviously played well but needs to work on crosses. Too many soft goals. Maybe rest him and give the big lad a game

1

blueboy1981 added 22:20 - Oct 6 ....... have to agree with the criticism of Gerken on here - after studying many times, the second Forest goal in injury time was diabolical goalkeeping, and would be seen as such at any level of the game. Has to be seen as a weak link until he eradicates these lapses.
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TimmyH added 17:32 - Oct 7 By the sounds of Radio Nottingham (on holiday in Derbyshire) we were the better team for more than the middle third of the game but have to say a bit disappointed how again come the crucial part of the game (the last 20 minutes) we come under the hammer - not sure whether it is psychological or tiredness. Saying that it is a good point but feel we could have ended their undefeated spell. By the way BBC Nottingham including Brian Laws were raving on about Tyrone Mings.

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