Gareth Taylor returned to haunt his former club as the striker netted an 80th-minute equaliser to earn Nottingham Forest a share of the spoils against fellow relegation-battlers Burnley.

Taylor, whose last-gasp goals against Walsall and Bradford also earned Forest vital points, produced an emphatic left-foot finish after a jinking run from Andy Reid to cancel out Richard Chaplow's early effort.

The second-half introduction of David Johnson was the catalyst for Forest's late flurry.

Johnson - fit again following a broken leg - could even have snatched a win for Forest, but his glancing header crashed against the bar two minutes from time.

A costly slip from Forest's stand-in goalkeeper Barry Roche allowed Chaplow to give Burnley the early advantage.

The youngster spilled Neil Wood's shot at the feet of midfielder Chaplow, who gladly prodded into an open net after 15 minutes.

Though Forest dominated possession in midfield, Burnley created the better chances with Ian Moore slicing a glorious opportunity wide of the upright seconds before Chaplow's opener.

Michael Dawson was Forest's most potent goal threat when advancing forward for set-plays, with Clarets keeper Brian Jensen twice denying the young defender from close range.

Taylor, meanwhile, had waited just two minutes before reminding his former employers of the danger he poses in the air when his excellent back post run was picked out by Reid. The Irishman's deep cross was perfectly weighted, but Taylor's header drifted inches wide of the upright.

With Alan Rogers injured, Joe Kinnear chose to start Des Walker in an unfamiliar left-back role. The years when Walker's pace was his chief asset are behind him, but the former England international showed a surprising willingness to attack down the flank, twice overlapping Reid inside the first 10 minutes.

Walker was made to pay for his adventure when he picked up a knee injury after one sortie. After attempting to continue, he was eventually replaced by John Thompson.

Roche showed he had recovered from his early setback by keeping out a fierce volley from Dean West seconds before the break.

The mounting frustration among the home fans was relieved slightly by the introduction of Johnson and Andy Impey shortly after the hour.

The change in emphasis was apparent almost immediately with Impey's superb right-wing cross finding the head of Taylor, whose header managed to evade both the goal and the onrushing Johnson to roll out of harm's way.

The striker's ability to find space in between defenders gave Forest a renewed edge, and Jensen appeared fortunate to get away without punishment when he seemed to handle outside the area after leaving his line to thwart Johnson.

Burnley could easily have taken three points themselves in last seconds when Glen Little's run and cross caused panic in the Forest defence.

Teams

Nottm Forest: Roche, Louis-Jean (Impey 61), Dawson, Morgan, Walker (Thompson 24), Jess, Sonner, Williams, Reid, Barmby (Johnson 61), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Formann, Westcarr.

Booked: Dawson.

Goals: Taylor 80.

Burnley: Jensen, West, Branch, May, Camara, Little, Grant (McGregor 78), Chaplow, Wood (Weller 76), Blake, Ian Moore.

Subs Not Used: Abbey, Scott, Townsend.

Goals: Chaplow 15.

Att: 26,885

Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).