Blackburn moved back into the play-off places after a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

However Rovers, with Eric Black in charge following Steve Kean's resignation last week , are now three games without a win.

Forest looked more likely winners with Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson saving brilliantly from Lewis McGugan on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts pushed hard for a win after the interval but Blackburn stood firm.

Forest were missing suspended strikers Dexter Blackstock and Simon Cox and have themselves now gone five games without a win.

The match had lacked a cutting edge until Robinson denied McGugan, who strike was pushed wide by the scrambling Rovers keeper.

Forest continued to attack after the break and a rasping effort from Andy Reid flew just over the crossbar.

Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes was a peripheral figure in a defensive 5-3-2 formation but had claims for a penalty waved away after he felt Chris Cohen clipped his heels.

Robinson fended away a Henri Lansbury strike as the visitors continued to come under pressure.

Forest boss Sean O'Driscoll brought on on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who started his career at the City Ground, late on but both sides had to settle for a draw.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (5)

Nottingham Forest

  • 01 Camp
  • 03 Harding
  • 05 Collins
  • 15 Halford
  • 26 Ayala
  • 04 Gillett
  • 08 Cohen
  • 10 McGugan (Jenas - 72' )
  • 11 Reid (Coppinger - 85' )
  • 22 Lansbury (Majewski - 63' )
  • 24 Sharp

Substitutes

  • 31 Evtimov
  • 18 Moloney
  • 06 Moussi
  • 14 Greening
  • 21 Coppinger
  • 28 Majewski
  • 36 Jenas

Blackburn Rovers

  • 01 Robinson
  • 02 Orr
  • 03 Mn Olsson
  • 05 Givet
  • 16 Dann
  • 31 G Hanley
  • 06 Lowe
  • 10 Formica
  • 13 Murphy
  • 11 Rhodes (Dunn - 86' )
  • 21 Nuno Gomes (Kazim-Richards - 63' )

Substitutes

  • 34 Kean
  • 32 Ribeiro
  • 07 Nunes
  • 08 Dunn
  • 12 Pedersen
  • 23 Rochina
  • 39 Kazim-Richards
Ref: Russell
Att: 18,748

Match Stats

Shots

17 5

On target

1 1

Corners

9 6

Fouls

8 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:14 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:40

A cross is delivered by Grant Hanley.

90:00 +2:04

The ball is sent over by Dan Harding, Martin Olsson manages to make a clearance. Centre by James Coppinger.

90:00 +1:51

The ball is sent over by Radoslaw Majewski, Bradley Orr manages to make a clearance.

87:54

Simon Gillett takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson. Corner taken left-footed by Chris Cohen, Danny Collins takes a shot. Daniel Ayala challenges Gael Givet unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

87:25

The ball is sent over by James Coppinger, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

84:40

Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

84:40 Substitution

Substitution David Dunn replaces Jordan Rhodes.

84:40 Substitution

Substitution James Coppinger joins the action as a substitute, replacing Andy Reid.

84:40

The referee gives a free kick against Radoslaw Majewski for handball.

80:02

The ball is crossed by Andy Reid, clearance by Gael Givet.

79:52

The ball is sent over by Billy Sharp, clearance by Grant Hanley.

77:20

Grant Hanley challenges Chris Cohen unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Cohen restarts play with the free kick.

74:24

The ball is sent over by Andy Reid.

73:08

The ball is sent over by Andy Reid, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

71:36 Substitution

Substitution Jermaine Jenas on for Lewis McGugan.

71:36

Bradley Orr takes a shot.

70:38

Colin Kazim-Richards takes a long range shot clearing the bar.

69:51

Centre by Andy Reid, Billy Sharp produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.

69:16

Martin Olsson takes a shot. Save made by Lee Camp.

68:24

A cross is delivered by Lewis McGugan, clearance made by Gael Givet. The ball is delivered by Greg Halford, Andy Reid takes a shot from outside the penalty box that bounces off the post.

67:47

The ball is swung over by Lewis McGugan, Bradley Orr makes a clearance.

67:11

Martin Olsson sends in a cross.

65:58

A cross is delivered by Andy Reid, Header from close in by Daniel Ayala misses to the left of the target.

65:29

Billy Sharp crosses the ball, Scott Dann gets a block in. Corner taken by Andy Reid from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Jordan Rhodes.

62:59 Substitution

Substitution Colin Kazim-Richards comes on in place of Miguel Nuno Gomes.

62:23 Substitution

Substitution (Nottm Forest) makes a substitution, with Radoslaw Majewski coming on for Henri Lansbury.

61:05

Jordan Rhodes produces a cross, Danny Collins makes a clearance.

59:59

Inswinging corner taken by Lewis McGugan from the left by-line.

59:46

The ball is delivered by Andy Reid, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.

59:26

Henri Lansbury takes a shot. Paul Robinson makes a save.

57:50

Greg Halford takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.

56:56

Jordan Rhodes fouled by Daniel Ayala, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

55:09

Andy Reid sends in a cross, blocked by Bradley Orr. Inswinging corner taken by Lewis McGugan from the left by-line. The ball is swung over by Lewis McGugan, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

54:37

Cross/shot by Martin Olsson.

52:51

Bradley Orr handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Andy Reid delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel. Inswinging corner taken by Chris Cohen, clearance made by Gael Givet. Shot from deep inside the area by Andy Reid clears the crossbar.

51:58

Effort on goal by Henri Lansbury from 12 yards.

49:02

Lewis McGugan fouled by Danny Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Simon Gillett takes the direct free kick.

46:27

Scott Dann concedes a free kick for a foul on Dan Harding. Strike comes in from Lewis McGugan from the free kick. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Reid played to the near post. Greg Halford challenges Jordan Rhodes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:04 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +0:03

Chris Cohen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mauro Formica. Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Murphy from right wing, Greg Halford manages to make a clearance.

44:16

Billy Sharp takes a shot. Gael Givet gets a block in. Henri Lansbury takes a shot. Scott Dann gets a block in. Lewis McGugan takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

43:25

Lewis McGugan produces a right-footed shot from a long way out and hits the bar. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Lewis McGugan played to the near post, clearance made by Jordan Rhodes.

42:32

Unfair challenge on Scott Dann by Chris Cohen results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Martin Olsson.

29:29

Centre by Lewis McGugan. Outswinging corner taken by Andy Reid, Grant Hanley makes a clearance.

29:01

Lewis McGugan sends in a cross. Billy Sharp takes a shot.

28:04

Unfair challenge on Gael Givet by Chris Cohen results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

22:58

Jordan Rhodes fouled by Daniel Ayala, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Murphy. Simon Gillett fouled by Danny Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Camp takes the free kick.

19:52

Unfair challenge on Chris Cohen by Gael Givet results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Reid from right channel, Bradley Orr manages to make a clearance.

18:50

The ball is sent over by Jason Lowe, blocked by Simon Gillett.

18:24

The ball is sent over by Andy Reid, Martin Olsson manages to make a clearance. Unfair challenge on Jordan Rhodes by Simon Gillett results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

18:17

The ball is swung over by Chris Cohen, clearance made by Scott Dann.

16:21

The ball is sent over by Jason Lowe. Inswinging corner taken by Jason Lowe from the left by-line, Danny Collins makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jason Lowe.

12:57

The ball is sent over by Bradley Orr.

0:33

Andy Reid crosses the ball. Corner taken right-footed by Lewis McGugan to the near post.

9:57

Martin Olsson delivers the ball, blocked by Greg Halford. Inswinging corner taken by Jason Lowe from the left by-line. Corner from right by-line taken by Jason Lowe. Corner taken by Jason Lowe, clearance made by Danny Collins.

4:52

Effort on goal by Simon Gillett from a long way out goes over the bar.

3:03

Shot from just outside the box by Miguel Nuno Gomes misses to the right of the goal.

2:13

Chris Cohen takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.

0:33

Andy Reid crosses the ball. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mauro Formica from the left by-line to the near post.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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