Danny Haynes leaves it late to rescue Robins

DANNY HAYNES hit a last-minute equaliser to save a game that City were lucky to finish with 11 men.

Haynes' strike partner Nicky Maynard could have been handed the fastest ever sending off, for a high challenge on right-back Chris Gunter after just EIGHT seconds.

And Forest manager Billy Davies felt some of City's challenges were retribution for the controversies the last time the pair met at the City Ground.

Forest came from behind to win that April encounter 3-2 after Gunter had been involved in an incident with left-back Jamie McAllister, who was sent off for his part in the clash.

"It might have been a little bit of punishment for the last game here," said Davies.

"The referee had one or two difficult decisions to make. If you go with the rulebook on aerial challenges and waving elbows, one or two challenges could have gone a certain way."

City boss Gary Johnson was quick to defend his players, three of whom were booked.

Johnson said: "Nicky didn't mean to do that. He was trying to block somebody from coming out and just misjudged it."

"We would be stupid if we asked him to hurt somebody in the first 10 minutes.

"It would have been unprofessional - we haven't got the type of player who would have that sort of vendetta.

"You can't know what's in players' minds, but I don't think there was a really stupid tackle and I never had in my mind that previous game. You've got to compete, though, and it was important we came here and didn't get beaten.

"In the end I was happy to come away with one point. It feels like we won, in fact - that's how it feels when you get the last goal in an away game. We deserved the point."

Forest themselves had hit a last-minute equaliser to snatch a point at Cardiff last week.

But a sixth win in an eight-match unbeaten run looked on the cards when central defender Wes Morgan headed them in front five minutes from time.

But they were denied the win when Haynes sneaked in for his third goal of the season.

Davies said: "It was disappointing to lose a goal so late. We switched off.

"Our two central defenders had been excellent, they were our outstanding players, but they got done for the goal." But goals for either side looked unlikely in a turgid opening - there was little quality on show, but plenty of muscle.

City's on-loan Ajax midfielder Evander Sno was booked for a challenge on Paul McKenna and fellow midfielder Marvin Elliott picked up a yellow card for a foul on the same player.

Sno was eventually substituted by Johnson after another couple of clashes.

"Sno had been ill before the game," said Johnson. "After his booking he had another severe talking to and I thought that after another mistimed tackle, he could have been sent off."

Neither keeper was severely tested in the first half, though Forest striker Joe Garner went close with a 25-yard drive.

Then midfielder Radoslaw Majewski forced keeper Dean Gerken into a goalline save from a similar distance. City's first attempt arrived in the 52nd minute, Maynard having a goal-bound effort charged down by Morgan.

The Forest defender then became one of four Forest players booked when he took a 57th-minute dive in the visitors' penalty area.

Forest were still looking the more likely side to score and would have done in the 74th minute but for a tremendous goalline intervention by right-back Cole Skuse, as winger Paul Anderson attempted to turn substitute Garath McCleary's cross over the line.

The home side did go ahead when Morgan bundled in his first goal of the campaign from a free-kick by Chris Cohen.

But substitute Rob Earnshaw blazed over an 87th-minute victory-clinching chance. And Forest paid the price when City sub Jamie McCombe headed down a Paul Hartley cross for Haynes to fire in the equaliser.

The result left both sides just outside the play-off places.

The Robins have now gone seven games without defeat and Johnson said: "We want to challenge for a top two place.

"If you fall short and have to settle for the play-offs, so be it - but you've got to aim high."

Davies said: "We're in the pack and I'm pleased but there's plenty of work to be done. I'll get excited in February if we're still in the top 10.

"It was disappointing we ended with a draw but that could prove one of the most crucial points we've picked up come the end of the season."

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