CRYSTAL PALACE 1, NOTT'M FOREST 1

FOREST failed to make it six straight league wins but Billy Davies' boys remain the only unbeaten away team in the division.

However, the match will be remembered for a touchline free-for-all after an ugly Clint Hill elbow on Paul Anderson that resulted in the Forest midfielder being substituted, yet was punished only with a booking.

The incident, in first-half stoppage time right in front of the dugout, had red written all over it.

Davies sprinted off his bench with rage, arms waving and gesticulating furiously to referee Graham Horwood.

To make matters worse for Forest, Chris Gunter was also cautioned for pushing Hill away. Davies said: "It was a blatant elbow. The referee said there was no malicious intent but when Neil Warnock doesn't complain at the side of the pitch, you know he knows he is a fortunate manager.

"The player was certainly very fortunate. He was lucky to stay on the pitch."

Forest were indebted to Lee Camp for a fantastic early save from a Darren Ambrose free-kick in Palace's first worthwhile attack.

Possession was even but the Eagles, who created the better chances throughout, deservedly went in front when Ambrose, at the third attempt, curled a peach of a free-kick over the wall and into the corner.

Then came Hill's x-rated challenge on Anderson before Forest came surging out of the blocks to level. Lewis McGugan drilled in a low cross and David McGoldrick slid in to score.

Forest rode their luck in the latter stages and only a one-handed reflex stop by Camp kept them in it.

Davies was happy with a point and added: "Neil was complaining to the referee at the end but I don't know why. Sometimes he's on a different planet."

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