Plucky Leeds hold Forest

United fight back to rescue a point at the City Ground

Last updated: 15th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Plucky Leeds hold Forest

Sam: To the rescue

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Nottingham Forest were held by a plucky Leeds side as both teams settled for a share of the spoils at the City Ground.

Forest, one of the favourites for the Championship, stormed out of the blocks following a poor start to their season and deservedly took the early lead through Dexter Blackstock with a neat header.

Despite the visitors being over-run, manager Simon Grayson tinkered with his system to great effect and they were soon rewarded for their persistence when Bradley Johnson's immaculate delivery was headed into the back of the net by the unmarked Lloyd Sam.

And it was United who appeared more likely to grab the winner during a scrappy second half in which Forest's Chris Gunter was lucky to stay on the field for stamping on the foot of Sanchez Watt.

The result means both sides are still looking for their first league victory of the season, although United will take plenty of encouragement from a spirited display.

Early exchanges

Forest boss Davies made seven changes to the side beaten by League Two Bradford in the Carling Cup, with Kelvin Wilson, Paul McKenna, Robert Earnshaw and Blackstock among those to return.

Richard Naylor replaced Alex Bruce in the heart of the Leeds defence as Simon Grayson reverted to the XI that lost 2-1 to Derby on the opening day of the season.

The hosts may have been expected to be low on confidence following a shaky start to the season, but they showed no sign of nerves as they dominated the early exchanges.

Paul Anderson had already forced Kasper Schmeichel into a sharp save by the time Forest opened the scoring. Chris Gunter's first-time cross from the right picked out the unmarked Blackstock and the striker guided a header beyond Schmeichel and into the bottom-left corner.

Forest almost added a second five minutes later following some delightful interplay between Blackstock and Earnshaw, but the latter's shot cannoned off the post.

Leeds were on the rack at this stage, but they eventually weathered the storm and created a chance of their own in the 24th minute when Luciano Becchio was denied by the onrushing Lee Camp.

The visitors continued to improve as the half wore on and drew level nine minutes before the break through Sam's first league goal for the club.

Wes Morgan needlessly gave away possession in his own half and the resulting attack ended with Bradley Johnson delivering a superb cross from the left for Sam to head home.

Tempo

Forest attempted to lift the tempo after the interval, but struggled to reproduce the free-flowing football that put Leeds under such pressure early on.

Indeed, it was the visitors who started to look increasingly assured in possession and they almost went ahead when Sam's dangerous low cross flew across the face of goal.

United came close again in the 70th minute as Sanchez Watt headed narrowly wide from a corner.

Forest goalkeeper Camp then suffered a cut above his left eye following an accidental collision with Naylor, although he was able to continue following treatment.

Tempers flared in the 79th minute after Gunter petulantly stamped on the foot of Watt during a break in play. Both men were booked by referee Tony Bates, although the Forest full-back can consider himself fortunate not to have seen red.

Leeds continued to enjoy the better of proceedings as the final whistle approached, but they were unable to find a winner.

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