Under the sure setting in of Autumn’s darkened skies, and with the country’s fireworks primed for the evenings festivities,  Nottingham Forest found themselves, once again, facing an opposition from the upper reaches of the Championship, themselves hoping to light the very skies for the City Ground faithful, with a victory and three points that would see them leapfrog their opponents, Bristol City.

As is so often the case with these match reports, this was, as the time worn cliche suggests, a game of two halves. The first half saw a commited performance from both sides with Nottingham Forest having plenty of posession but struggling to find a way through the solid defence and wall of ten Bristol City players that confronted them. Whilst not looking devoid of ideas, Forest certainly lacked penetration, and Bristol City can hardly argue that they offered much more themselves.

The second half was, as suggested, a rather different affair. Sloppy mistakes crept in to Forest’s game, most particularly through misplaced passes from the likes of Paul Mckenna, somewhat uncharacteristically. Bristol City found their counter attacking game, and it was only the introduction of certain substitutes that gave Forest hope of breaking the deadlock, as they eventually went on to do.

Forest definitely started the brighter of the two teams, with defenders and keepers on Bristol’s side having to be on their toes, after good work from the likes of Gunter, Majewski, and the at times, majestic, Paul Anderson. City’s only responses to Forest’s early onslaught seemed to be some stought, but over zealous defensive play, early yellow cards and warnings raining down on the away side. Whilst Forest struggled to produce much more than some pretty, but impotent football, on 25 minutes, Joe Garner saw a low skidding shot from the edge of the box whistle merely past the post, to the dismay of the home fans, and delight of Dean Gerken in the Bristol goal.

With one of the few promising moments for the away side came a run from the lively and pacy ex Ipswich striker, Danny Haynes, playing out on the right, but the Bristol player was thwarted by a tackle nothing short of perfect from the outstanding Kelvin Wilson, stretching from a disadvantaged position in his own box, Wilson removed the danger with premiership quality.

As the first half drew to a close with the sharpened, chilled air veiling the city ground, Forest created two chances that perhaps should haveresulted in the Reds taking the lead. After good work from Mcgoldrick, Majewski had a characteristic swerving shot from the edge of the box, but the keeper was equal to the effort. Again after Mcgoldricks invention, Joe garner also saw his flicked header land comfortably in the keepers hands rather than nestling in the goal.

As the second half began, things began to change. The Bristol players threw themselves forward with venom, attacking the forest goal with verve, if not quality. Lee Camp was however equal to their attacks, and Forest brought on Adebola, McCleary and the returning from injury, Robert Earnshaw, to rapturous applause.

Garath McCleary looked lively, if inconsistent, and after a good ball from Cohen, beat his man to the edge of the area, but sent the shot disappointingly wide. As Forest began to come further into the game, Mcgoldrick missed a golden chance after an excellent driven cross from Moussi.

Forest had begun to take the initiative in the game, and thought they had gone one up after some more excellent wing play from McCleary, with Anderson sliding in, only to see some valiant goal line defending by Bristol City save them from conceding. Only moments later, however,  Forest took the lead with a scrappy, but determined goal. Cohen’s free kick was headed onto the upright by substitute, Adebola, but fell to Morgan who scrambled home to rapture in the stands and on the pitch.

However, as Forest piled forward to get another, the mistakes crept in. Earnshaw lost the ball far too easily just into the Bristol City half, and Forest allowed City to advance to the edge of the box without closing down with any vigour. Paul Hartleys’s cross was crashed home by Danny Haynes to end the game in a one all draw, that was not wholly unreasonable, but Forest will feel disappointed not to be walking away with three points.

Camp – 7 – Assured display in goal, commanding his area, and didnt really put a foot wrong.
Gunter – 7 – Looks a great prospect, and always improving. Defended and attacked well, if a little lacking in the crossing department at times.
Wilson – 9 – MOTM -Outstanding defensive display, the best player on the pitch by a mile today.
Morgan – 7 – Another solid display, with a couple of slightly worrying moments.
Cohen -7 – Continues toperform at left back, with another specialised performance.
Moussi – 8 – Whilst making a few mistakes in possession, Moussi showed drive, determination and solidity in defence.
McKenna – 6 – Sloppy in possession, and just did not have the effect he usually does.
Anderson – 8 – Whilst drifted in and out in the second half, was the most impact player that Forest had
Majewski – 6 – Apart from a couple of decent shots, the classy poles struggled to get into the game.
Garner -6 – Goes down too  easily, and too much play acting, but did a job defensively, and showed some invention where others were lacking
McGoldrick – 6- A few nices touches, but his abilities just dont fit the lone striker role, and if he is to be played, it must be in a deeper supporting position. Not capable of leading the line effectively.

Adebola -7 – Looked to offer somethign genuinely different, and lead the line effectively.
McCleary – 8 – Offered the invention that Forest were so desperate for, and whilst inconsistent, was red hot at  his best.
Earnshaw – 6 – ineffective.

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