Former Town midfielder Liam Trotter denied his old club their first win at the City Ground since 1999 with a debut goal deep into injury time as the Blues and Forest drew 1-1. Earlier, sub Jonny Parr’s 74th minute goal had given the Blues the lead.

Mick McCarthy made four changes from the team which lost 3-0 at Hull City in midweek with David McGoldrick, Cole Skuse, Freddie Sears and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all starting. Giles Coke, Jonathan Douglas, Larsen Touré and Parr dropped to the bench.

McGoldrick - like skipper Luke Chambers a former Forest player - was in the centre with Daryl Murphy to his left and Sears to his right. The trio of strikers were all starting a game for the first time since Sears signed from Colchester in January. Giles Coke, Jonathan Douglas, Larsen Touré and Jonny Parr all dropped to the bench.

Former Town midfielder Liam Trotter was handed his debut for Forest having joined on loan from Bolton earlier in the day, while ex-Blues loanee Jonny Williams was also in the Tricky Trees’ midfield.

Town controlled the opening minutes but without creating any openings. On nine, after a long spell of Blues passing largely dictated by Bru, Jonas Knudsen sent over a cross from the left which was too long for his team-mates. Moments later, a Murphy shot on the edge of the box struck Sears.

The Blues were caught on the break in the 10th minute but Skuse and then Tommy Smith got back to challenge and eventually dispossess Ryan Mendes, unfairly according to the home fans. Referee Paul Tierney wasn’t interested, however.

A minute later Williams played in Mendes on the Forest right and the Cape Verde international shot low across the face of Dean Gerken’s goal. Mendes may have been helped find space by Blues left-back Knudsen having suffered an injury and on 12 the Danish international made way for Jonny Parr.

Chances continued to be rare events at either end but in the 29th minute only a superb Gerken save prevented the home side from going in front.

The Blues were caught short of numbers as Mendes broke and then fed Trotter to his left. The former Northgate High School pupil hit a powerful low shot across the Town keeper who got down to his left and blocked with a strong hand.

The loose ball eventually found Jamie Ward, who cut in from the right and hit another low effort which the Blues keeper palmed wide.

The double save was the highlight what had had been a less then enthralling game up to then and a minute later Town had a chance at the other end.

McGoldrick’s header from Bru’s corner struck a defender and ran loose in the area but wouldn’t fall for Murphy and the danger was cleared.

Forest immediately broke and Skuse picked up the game’s first booking for fouling Williams on halfway.

Gerken was forced into another save on 36 batting away Nelson Oliveira’s shot from the right of the area.

Oliveira claimed he had been fouled in the area by Parr in the 41st minute as a Ward cross came over from the left but the Forest man appeared to be the one with his arms around the Town defender. The ball eventually reached Mendes at the far post and he shot into the side-netting.

A minute before the break Smith was booked for tripping Mendes as Forest again counter-attacked quickly, a Town move having broken down on the edge of the home side’s box after Murphy’s pass had failed to find McGoldrick.

Just before the break both physios were called into action when Maitland-Niles and Trotter clashed heads as they went for a header.

Both players were fine to continue and the on-loan Arsenal man made a strong run down the left moments after returning to the field and won a corner.

Forest broke quickly following the Town flag-kick and Mendes hit the half’s final shot wide of Gerken’s right post.

The home side will believe they should have been in front at the break having had much the better of the chances.

Gerken had been the busier of the two keepers with his stop from Trotter’s strike as good if not better than his recent save from another former Town man, Jordan Rhodes, at Blackburn.

The Blues had had spells on top but had failed to carve out a significant opening or manage a shot on target.

Town created their first chance of the second half in the 50th minute when McGoldrick’s clever pass found Sears, who fed Murphy to his left. The Irishman played the ball inside to the onrushing Parr, whose shot was blocked by Forest skipper Kelvin Wilson, who was winded by the strike.

Parr was booked for another foul on the breaking Williams, then moments later the Wales international’s cross deflected out to Ward, whose shot was deflected over.

The home side were starting the second half on top but on 53 Bru seized on Dorus De Vries’s poor kick and sent Sears away on the right but the former Colchester striker’s cross failed to find a Town man.

Ward again shot over, before the Blues forced De Vries into his first save of the afternoon, the former Swansea man pawing away Sears’s powerful strike from just inside the area on the left. The loose ball fell to Murphy and his shot was blocked.

Gerken saved low to his left from Ward in the 56th minute, then two minutes later Forest old boy McGoldrick forced De Vries into another save with a curling effort from the edge of the area. The loose ball fell to Murphy at a tight angle on the left but the Blues’ number nine shot into the sidenetting.

But the home side were still largely on top and a minute later Berra was booked for a foul on Mendes.

Oliveira’s freekick struck the wall and flew well wide, then and on 61 Trotter turned a low cross from the left against Berra from eight yards.

Skuse made a vital last ditch challenge on Oliveira in the 66th minute after the Portuguese frontman had got past Chambers inside the area.

Williams was replaced in the Forest midfield by Jorge Grant, then Douglas took over from Skuse in the Blues midfield, the former Bristol City man appearing to have suffered a knock when making his challenge on Oliveira.

Mendes shot over from distance for Forest on 71 with Forest continuing to look the more likely scorers.

But in the 74th minute the Blues went in front. Chambers fed Bru to his right and the Mauritius international sent over a hanging cross. Eric Lichaj beat Murphy to the ball but his header fell to Parr, who hooked a half-volley on the half-turn into the top corner of De Vries’s net from midway inside the Forest area.

The Town players celebrated their first goal in more than three games and almost a month - and Parr’s first of the season - long and hard in front of their supporters.

Going in front gave the Blues renewed confidence and Sears won a corner soon after the goal.

Town might have added to their lead on 79 when McGoldrick was found in space just outside the box but his shot flew well over.

Murphy went somewhat closer from more than 30 yards two minutes later, his powerful strike flaying not too far past De Vries’s right post.

Forest threw everything forward in the final minutes as they looked to put the Blues under pressure. Strikers Dexter Blackstock and Chris O’Grady were both brought on before the Blues switched Sears for Piotr Malarczyk for the final four minutes of scheduled time.

As the game moved into a surprising six minutes of additional time Malarczyk rose highest to make two important headed clearances.

Just as it looked as if Town would hold on, with the game in the fifth minute of injury time, they conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Forest for the second successive year.

Gerken’s punch from David Vaughan’s left-wing cross from the left only made it as far as Grant with the keeper and Berra both grounded. Malarczyk cleared the sub's shot off the line but Trotter was on hand to slam in the rebound from close range.

Neither side seriously threatened again before referee Tierney blew his final whistle to end another frustrating afternoon at the City Ground for Town.

On balance, a defeat would have been harsh on Forest, who had most of the game’s better chances and had been on top until Town went in front.

But having gone in front and having kept the lead relatively comfortably until so late in the game, the draw must have felt more like a defeat to Mick McCarthy and his men, who have now gone six league matches without a win and are down to 13th in the Championship table.

The Blues are next in action against Cardiff at home next Saturday with another game at Portman Road with Bolton the following Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest: De Vries, Lichaj, Wilson (c), Hobbs (O’Grady 82), Pinillos, Trotter, Williams (Grant 67), Mendes, Ward (Blackstock 79), Oliveira. Unused: Evtimov, Burke, Walker, Iacovitti.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen (Parr 12), Skuse (Douglas 68), Bru, Maitland-Niles, Sears (Malarczyk 86), Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Bialkowski, Douglas, Coke, Touré, Pitman. Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire). Att: 19,616.

Photo: Action Images

therein61 added 18:24 - Oct 24 I forgot to mention in my earlier post that Mick will be very happy with an away point!!
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:28 - Oct 24 Don't worry it looks like we are going to get out of this league after all playing hoofball. Playing a type of football that is negative and so unattractive to watch the crowds are slowly going down. Unless a few things change we will be in another league next year. Good to see Parr in at left back, albeit due to injury. He seemed to make a positive difference. Sad that once again even if we do score the supporters and players know we still have mistakes in us at the back, that will never change, until balanced changes are made. We rode our luck last year, now things look like evening out.

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jas0999 added 18:32 - Oct 24 I'm afraid this was a case of two teams who should be doing much better playing out a fair draw. Gerken, like virtually every keeper in the championship and indeed league one is a decent shot stopper. But to be playing for a team with so called promotion ambitions, you need good judgement, be able to control your area and provide the defence with faith in your ability. Sadly, that's where Gerken is so woefully lacking, making him an average keeper. Bart is only marginally better. Still think we should have invested in better in the summer. Not much more to say than in previous weeks. Better team selection and decent second half by all accounts, but nonetheless it's 1 win in 9 which simply isn't good enough. Forest are no world beaters this season. Sadly neither are we. Squad still lacking that quality which money has bought the top sides in the league. There should have been no excuse as we sold Mings, but Evans decision to go cheap and frees is still a factor for me. Other clubs are just better than us and now it's a case of being the same points off relegation as it is the play offs. Poor. Two must win home games now, or season slipping away.

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Tractorboy1985 added 18:42 - Oct 24 As I sat at home with my boro mate (work getting in the way of me being there) pen in hand ticking off my goals galore (not many 2day) I said we conceded so late here last season.. Then bang.. It happened again! So deflated! Another Gerken howler it sounsd like? I've never questioned his shot stopping ability.. 7/10 rated for that but organising and talking to his defence is his frailty! I can remember walking out of that stadium last season being done in the last seconds and my heart goes out to those who attended 2day! Rank feeling! 2 massive home games now.. We have to stop this rut.. A huge 6 weeks coming up.. Always look at the table at Xmas and the table starts to take shape who is going to be competing for top 6.. Dig deep boys.. We go again!!! I won't admit defeat yet to us getting in the playoffs! (As deluded as it may sound) COYB!!!

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rinkydinkpanther added 18:43 - Oct 24 On the plus side, it's yet another clean sheet for Murphy.
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TimmyH added 18:48 - Oct 24 Words fail me...the team looked better on paper and glad Parr was back in his rightful position (although by default) and just as we all thought we were going to take 3 points in a long time this happens...not by Jonny Williams but by another ex-player. You really can't make it up!!!
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fizzyblue added 18:52 - Oct 24 This is the first time I have posted since 2012. I flew over from Germany to watch the the game today with with my best mate who is a forest fan, but am usually an armchair supporter. My personal analysis is that Mcarthy should have made these changes a long time ago. Just remember that par, an enforced change, put us ahead. Murphy was a spectator throughout the who 90 minutes and bru was a breath of fresh air. 1:0 up with a few minutes to go and one of MM favorites Gerkin let the side down (granted a great few saves in the first half). Frustrated is an understatement. I'm always a blue though :)

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halsteadblue added 19:03 - Oct 24 Gutted for everyone,the only good thing which hopefully will come out of all this will be that our best left back at the club will now keep his place,and that Coco the clown will finally be dropped for Bart.
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poggie added 19:08 - Oct 24 Surely Mick's days must be numbered. He appears to have already lost the dressing room ... and now seems intent on losing the supporters too with his dubious selections and tactics!! Something is seriously wrong this season - it no longer looks like a temporary blip!!
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Bluetone added 19:15 - Oct 24 McCarthy couldn't win a raffle if he bought the only ticket. Time to swallow his stubborn pride and play Parr and Bart and start to think of winning not just trying not to lose.
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bomber21 added 19:36 - Oct 24 Can any of us see anything changing with the players we have,the tactics and team selections employed by a manager who has seriously lost the plot,its relegation form without a doubt. ,28-1 with skybet anybody.lol
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MickMillsTash added 19:37 - Oct 24 Forest were there for the taking- but so were we. First goal should have won. MIdfield battle in the first half with opportunities coming from Forest breaks down our right. - Did not see the point of Maitland Niles today as he spent most of the game tucked in to centre mid. Bru was good won lots of second ball, moved the ball quickly. Thought we were better in the second half , and looked most likely to score. After the goal controlled the game, There should have been a foul given on Maitland Niles before they broke for the goal - Gherkin flap at the other end so hard to comment. Thought Parr was better at full back, Chambers had a better game, but 3 of our defenders being booked tells that we were stretched. Murphy should have scored, Mcgoldrick blazed over when he should have scored, Douglas tidy when he came on- why take off our hardest working player Sears? Listening to Radio NOTTS on the way home they thought we were poor.- supporters and pundits. Forest light weight

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warktheline added 19:47 - Oct 24 That's the most frustrating thing, McCarthy has a more than competitive team, IF only he could see it!!! Parr should be starting in defence, not continually being dropped after one game, and then used as a substitute. Bart needs recalling. AND FINALLY BREAK UP THE THREE INTO TWO GANG! Personally resigned to the fact Chambers, Smith and Berra, will never be separated. Three points today would of been a huge tonic for one and all, but in reality it would of only papered over McCarthy's persistent failings in regards to defensive issues.

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MicksZzzTactics added 19:49 - Oct 24 Lost in the Forest 1 - Hoof Town 1 Yep tactical inept dinosaurs MM & TC's unspectacular Hoof Town have been alarming 'susceptible' to conceding very late goals .... and as it's like HARDLY 'Breaking News' that practically all games last at least 93 min in this day and age of the game obviously it will ALWAYS be frustrating for us fans that some managers.... and players.... haven't learned to properly shore up the defense and each and all players' defensive work better in the crucial very late stages and dying minutes, yet! But on the other hand even sometime dubbed 'unlucky' ITFC occasionally winds up not just losing some but also winning some late -- as per The Laws of Probability and The Whims of Madame Fortuna or whatever :-) -- and thus all fans but especially our very own die harder than Bruce Willis ultra rosy-tinted and ultra tunnel-visioned 'In Mick We Trust' Brigade (who of course predominantly roam and reign in the fairly one-dimensional TWTD Forum) should not forget that we actually as recent as last season scored several late goals ourselves, none more so than Noel Hunt's and Richard Chaplow's mindboggling virtually last-kick-of-the-game winners, which obviously proved instrumental in just barely edging our way into the Play-Offs... an glorious accomplishment which BTW was largely attributed here and elsewhere to Micks "magnificent managerial and tactical skills" LOL when in reality it was really down to beside mere slightly better fortune than our pursuers and vintage MM defensive stoutness, simply mainly just a mixture of 1 player in particular i.e. our otherwise and THEN fantastic Hoof Ball target numero uno Murph (and his 27 goals) and Derby's incredible meltdown, much more so than IMHO any managerial 'greatness' on Mick's own behalf!!! So thanks for everything Mick -- especially your 1st year here - even taking into account how beyond diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire YOUR kind of football have generally been to watch, but please do the honorable thing matey and resign NOW!, cause an incredible totalitarian stubborn football dinosaur like you can very visibly contribute no more to ITFC, in a positive way that is.... probably even if you had the budget of LVG!!! And an little advice for your way-out-speech Mick: Please look back and especially inwards and then remember that according to Einstein.... 'Insanity = Doing the same things over and over again expecting different result' :-)

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yorksblue added 19:50 - Oct 24 I'm over the moon...... reckoned we'd only get 1 point from the last 3 games. Might even have a pint to celebrate.
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runaround added 20:34 - Oct 24 A draw that feels like a defeat, so many times in last few years when on a bad run, we seems to concede an equaliser deep into stoppage time. One win can change things all around but it's hard to see that happening right now. Next month has on a paper a run of fixtures that are very winnable, if after Charlton match our results & position have not improved considerably, pressure will build on Mick. I keep trying to figure out what changed from first few matches when we were winning to now & the only thing I can see is the change of goalkeeper. Coincidence? Mick seems to think so "Gerks as been magnificent " However the longer this poor run continues the more I believe that not playing Bart has started this

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MGNottsBlue added 20:39 - Oct 24 Clearly I am in the minority here as I thought it was a vastly improved performance on recent weeks. Far better team selection, Bru makes such a difference much more composed on the ball and can pick a pass. Personally I would pick Bart but thought Gerkin didn't do much wrong, you all criticise when he doesn't leave his line and then do so again when he does! Just hope we can build on this for next week. COYB

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essex57 added 20:58 - Oct 24 Just got home from the match the crowd were great especially in their support for mm and Tc thought Chambers had a much better game and overall the quality of the football was better despite still playing the odd hoof ball if you've got to find excuses it was the players up field that were the architects of our downfall they should of gone for goal instead of tapping it around eventually losing it forest went straight up our end and scored. Murphy is so out of form he must be dropped. Overall gutted at result But thought we moved the ball

2

westernblue added 20:59 - Oct 24 OK, almost won. But what poor football again by town throughout (not you k bru). I feel sorry tonight for Guy Luzon, sacked by Charlton with us still to play (28 Nov). He must be thinking 'if only I'd had the Ipswich game . . . With no Noel hunt and no jay tabb it would have been easy'. Hey Ho.
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PJH added 21:16 - Oct 24 Much better than the last two away performances. Bru looked good in a poor team performance at Hull and even better in a better team performance today. Looked much more balanced with Bru in midfield. AMN had probably his best game for us. Gerken replicated last seasons performance at Forest with two very good saves but then making a mess of a cross in injury time.
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StowTractorBoy added 21:19 - Oct 24 I wonder how many on here actually went to the game yet delight in running down the Manager, the players and the owner. Most of us would have taken a point today before the start of the game and of course we are all gutted to have lost two points at the death. For those of you wanting McCarthy out it will not happen and I hope it doesn't. I know for a fact that the players love MM so getting rid will not help them let alone the Club. Marcus Evans will never dismiss him you only have to look at the Jewell scenario when he more less offered to go. Only my opinion but the Gerken punch for the cross was not that bad as he cleared the ball to the edge of the box where Grant had space and time to shoot. Do I hear anyone slating the guy who should have closed Grant down ???. Don't get me wrong I am not a great Gerken fan and for me it should be Bart but the goal could have been avoided on two or three counts not just the punch. Things are not great at the moment and if Murphy decides to start playing again it may help - where was he today ??? Keep the faith - two massive home games coming up and we need to back the players and the Manager. At least we can take some comfort from the Norwich defeat but I know it does not help us.

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Elizabeth added 22:21 - Oct 24 What does Bart have to do to be in goal. Why oh why can we not see a game out ... Complete loss of concentration. I'm beginning to lose patience now . Two home games and six points is a must!
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pablo123 added 22:56 - Oct 24 Was i watching the same game as some of you on here ? We were terrible from stsrt to finish , boring long ball sh--e !! Wasted my hard earned again to watch that rubbish , we got battered and a win would av been a travesty for a really poor forest team !!!!!!!!! Mick , time to get youre coat and f**k off
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runningout added 23:58 - Oct 24 We have slowest defence in league, with that we will finish in bottom three. Bart has returned a wrecked man from his family loss by the look of it, cannot be easy for him. All our keepers are not up to the task. I for one mentioned Murphy wouldn't have half the season he had last, and we should of taken the dosh. Shall I point out I have been correct on many of our ups and downs. If anyone thinks we deserved a point in that game, you are very much mistaken..

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BrettenhamBlue added 00:20 - Oct 25 Important thing is we picked up a point against a team who may well be with us in the mix at the end of the season. This was a huge 6 pointer, fans just can't seem to see that. We are doing well to be in 13th spot at the moment, mainly due to overachievement at the beginning of the season. We need to stay well clear of the relegation area, and MM is doing that effectively. Too many people here expected us to be a top 6 club this season, and we are nowhere near that. Honestly think that was the best we have played in months and we were lucky to get the draw. Forest were all over us at times and yet we suddenly found ourselves 1-0 up. Mickszzztactics is dead right about our overachievement las season.

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