Nottingham Forest bounced back from a two-goal deficit to claim a share of the points against Wolves at the City Ground.

Wolves opened the scoring courtesy of Nathan Blake and Colin Cameron, Forest's David Johnson and Michael Dawson netting either side of half-time.

The stalemate ensured a continuation of the First Division play-off zone status quo with Sheffield United maintaining a slender advantage ahead of the midlands rivals and Reading.

Mark Kennedy tested Darren Ward early on, though his 25-yard effort lacked the power to trouble the Forest keeper while Wolves counterpart Matt Murray survived a scare when Riccardo Scimeca teed up Andy Reid only for the low drive to be dragged wide.

And the home team were made to pay for their profligacy in the ninth minute when Denis Irwin opened up Forest with a probing pass off the right wing, Blake collecting and proving sturdy enough to resist Dawson before bulging the net from 10 yards out.

An equaliser looked on the cards just short of the 20-minute mark but Johnson's diving header was over the bar.

The visitors came close to increasing their lead when, in the 23rd minute, Irwin took the opportunity to advance and spread the ball inside to Colin Cameron, Kennedy next to assume possession on the Wolves' left.

When the cross came over, Kenny Miller rose high but could only head over the crossbar.

At the other end, a Marlon Harewood snap shot flashed square across goal from right to left before Joleon Lescott saved Wolves' bacon, robbing Johnson of possession with an impeccably timed challenge just as Johnson shaped to shoot from close in.

And moments later Wolves doubled their advantage when Cameron advanced through the middle and slotted to the left of an exposed Ward.

But the Forest fightback began five minutes shy of the interval after Reid cut in field from the left and then supplied an astute pass for Johnson who sprang the offside trap and buried the ball under an advancing Murray.

Marc Edworthy replaced Irwin for the start of the second half but it was Lescott who was winning all the plaudits at the back for Wolves, Johnson again losing out while lifting his foot to shoot after crossing the face of the penalty area.

Danger man Reid went close to restoring parity after the hour but fired wide through a crowded box.

But central defender Dawson's predatory instincts proved much sharper as he rose to head home a 74th-minute Scimeca free-kick floated in off the left, Murray having advanced from his line but failing to claim under pressure from Johnson.

Teams

Nottm Forest Ward, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Walker, Brennan, Thompson, Scimeca, Lester, Reid, Johnson, Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Jess, Roche, Doig, Bopp, Hjelde.

Booked: Dawson.

Goals: Johnson 40, Dawson 74.

Wolverhampton Murray, Irwin (Edworthy 46), Naylor, Butler, Lescott, Cameron, Ince, Rae, Kennedy, Blake, Miller (Ndah 78).

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Sturridge, Cooper.

Booked: Rae, Cameron, Edworthy.

Goals: Blake 9, Cameron 26.

Att: 27,209

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).