A point each is likely to serve little purpose to either side's desperate need in the final countdown.

Rangers will be happier with the point, keeping alive their hopes of creeping away from the First Division basement.

But after two successive defeats, the dropping of more home points came as a bitter blow to Forest's bid for a play-off spot.

They thought they were on their way to a vital win when Marlon Harewood gave them a 13th-minute lead with his first goal of the season.

But five minutes from time Rangers substitute Stuart Wardley hammered home an unstoppable equaliser to reward a late flurry from the game Londoners.

It was no more than they deserved - despite having to claw their way back into the game after Harewood's strike.

Rangers were found wanting at the back when Harewood raced onto a through ball from Francis Benali to thump a left-foot shot across Lee Harper and just inside the far post.

With Rangers offering little as an attacking side it was left for Forest to force the pace, but they lacked the quality to totally seize the initiative.

Harper saved superbly from David Johnson soon after the goal and David Prutton might have done better with a close-range opportunity after a header by Ricky Scimeca had dropped at his feet.

Rangers hardly raised a threat until Forest keeper Dave Beasant comfortably held a header by Chris Kiwomya on the stroke of half-time.

But to their credit Rangers denied Forest goalscoring opportunities in the second half and then stunned the home fans with an equaliser five minutes from time.

Wardley, who had only been on the field nine minutes, took a knock-down from Kiwomya and thundered a right-foot shot past Beasant via the inside of the post.

In the time that remained Rangers looked the more likely winners.

Beasant saved spectacularly from Kiwomya's header following a cross by Wardley and right on time Leon Knight drilled a cross in front of the Forest goal with no-one around to apply a finishing touch.

Rangers are still without a win at the City Ground in 25 visits, but the point gained could still prove to be a precious one.

Teams

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Edwards, Bart-Williams, Benali, Gray, Scimeca, Prutton, Williams, Foy (Reid 79), David Johnson (John 81), Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Jones, Hjelde.

Booked: Benali.

Goals: Harewood 13.

QPR: Harper, Perry (Bruce 63), Plummer, Brown (Ready 63), Baraclough, Darlington, Bignot, Peacock (Wardley 76), Knight, Crouch, Kiwomya.

Subs Not Used: Miklosko, Kulcsar.

Booked: Crouch.

Goals: Wardley 85.

Att: 22,208

Ref: D Laws (Whitley Bay).