Match ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Middlesbrough 1.
Nottm ForestNottingham Forest1MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough1
Middlesbrough frustrated promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest after grabbing a late point at the City Ground.
Forest went ahead just after the hour mark when midfielder Ryan Yates emphatically headed in Matty Cash's cross from six yards out.
Paddy McNair levelled for the visitors from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining after Jack Robinson tripped substitute Marvin Johnson.
Improving Boro, who have suffered just one defeat in six, are now four points above the relegation zone, while Forest remain fifth, with a two-point advantage over seventh-placed Sheffield Wednesday.
With Fulham and Bristol City both losing on Tuesday, victory would have taken Forest up to third in the Championship table but Sabri Lamouchi's side had to settle for a draw despite dominating possession.
The first half was a dour encounter, with the only real chance of note coming when Boro striker Ashley Fletcher headed straight at home keeper Brice Samba after being picked out by Hayden Coulson.
Sammy Ameobi called Boro goalkeeper Aynsley Pears into action with a fierce left-footed effort soon after the restart and Forest hit the bar when Yates struck a shot from the edge of the area down and into the ground before the ball bounced beyond the reach of Pears.
Yates' first senior goal at home for the Reds looked to have set the hosts on course for three points but McNair, who had earlier forced a good save from Samba, made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent his penalty high into the net.
The hosts had a chance to carve out an opportunity from a set-piece in injury time, but Joao Carvalho put his free-kick delivery from the left flank straight into the arms of Pears.
Forest's momentum has been checked in recent weeks, and one win in four games has left them 11 points adrift of the automatic promotion places before second-placed West Bromwich Albion travel to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).
Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi:
"We need more character, particularly when we play at home, because the game was in our hands. I am disappointed, because we controlled the game until the goal.
"When we went ahead, we dropped back 20 yards. Maybe we were afraid to win. But we must play for the second goal, to close off the game.
"If you do not achieve the second goal, do not give them an opportunity. We have a lot of regrets.
"We need to find a solution. We must keep going; we must be positive. I am upset, like the players - because we lost two points tonight."
Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:
"I'm really pleased but I thought it was what we deserved really.
"The subs we made were really good and they made a difference. You win and lose on making decisions and today we got them right.
"I've got players who are willing to go that extra yard for each other and that showed.
"I'm really pleased with how the young players have stepped up."
Line-ups
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 30Samba
- 11Cash
- 20Dawson
- 4WorrallBooked at 87mins
- 18RobinsonBooked at 90mins
- 22YatesSubstituted forAdomahat 84'minutes
- 8Watson
- 23Lolley
- 28SilvaBooked at 27minsSubstituted forSemedoat 77'minutesBooked at 83mins
- 19AmeobiSubstituted forCarvalhoat 72'minutes
- 7Grabban
Substitutes
- 3Figueiredo
- 10Carvalho
- 14Mir
- 17Semedo
- 36Chema
- 37Adomah
- 49Muric
Middlesbrough
Formation 5-3-2
- 42Pears
- 29SpenceBooked at 24minsSubstituted forJohnsonat 67'minutes
- 16Howson
- 4Ayala
- 6Fry
- 33Coulson
- 17McNair
- 8ClaytonSubstituted forWalkerat 74'minutes
- 22Saville
- 11FletcherBooked at 85mins
- 7Tavernier
Substitutes
- 1Mejias
- 21Johnson
- 25Wood
- 27Bola
- 35O'Neill
- 36Walker
- 37Liddle
- Referee:
- Andy Woolmer
- Attendance:
- 24,577
Match Stats
Home TeamNottm ForestAway TeamMiddlesbrough
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Middlesbrough 1.
Post update
Hand ball by Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough).
Booking
Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Marvin Johnson (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Marvin Johnson (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Michael Dawson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ashley Fletcher (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Attempt missed. George Saville (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marcus Tavernier.
Booking
Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Marvin Johnson (Middlesbrough).
Booking
Ashley Fletcher (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Michael Dawson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
