Paul Gerrard earned relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest a crucial point by
saving the penalty he gave away in a goalless Coca-Cola Championship draw at
Brighton.
The former Everton goalkeeper made a brilliant stop to keep out Leon Knight's
spot-kick and kept the Seagulls at bay with a series of fine first-half saves.
But it was Forest who carved open the better chances only for poor finishing
and a fine display by Michel Kuipers to prevent Gary Megson from earning his
first win since taking charge at the City Ground.
In-form Brighton, unbeaten in five games, raced out of the blocks as
midfielder Paul Reid shot wide after just 40 seconds.
Richard Carpenter, making his 450th League appearance, also went close for the
home side with a trademark 25-yard free-kick which curled the wrong side of the
post.
But Brighton spurned an even better chance to take the lead in the 10th minute
when Gerrard brought down striker Knight.
Referee Paul Taylor pointed to the spot and showed the yellow card to Gerrard,
who then pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to push Knight's own spot-kick
around the post.
Forest, who had lost four of their last five games, needed Gerrard to be on
his guard again in the 15th minute to keep out a fierce effort from Knight.
Gerrard made a double save moments later in stopping a curling effort from
Knight with his feet and then saving the rebound from Kerry Mayo.
But second-bottom Forest gradually started to come out of their shells,
and Brighton needed Kuipers to save a Paul Evans free-kick before he denied
winger Andy Reid.
Kris Commons fired over the bar, and Republic of Ireland international Reid -
one of three changes to the side which lost to Millwall last weekend - also
tested Kuipers with a shot from 30 yards.
It was Commons too who missed Forest's best chance in first-half stoppage time
when he somehow managed to send Marlon King's cross the wrong side of the post.
Knight went close to netting his third goal in four games at the start of the
second half with a rising drive from just outside the box.
Reid was again involved in the thick of the action when his 55th-minute
left-footed effort was kept out by Kuipers.
Forest were looking the more likely to score as the half progressed and were
denied an opener in the 70th minute only when Kuipers made an instinctive save
to push out King's close-range snap shot.
The second half lacked the chances and tempo of the first, although Guy
Butters had a header cleared off the line by forest striker Gareth Taylor 10
minutes from time.
Moments later Adam El-Abd, only in the side because Adam Virgo was given
compassionate leave, nearly broke the deadlock only for Gerrard to make another
crucial save.
But the Seagulls had to play the last five minutes without Kuipers, who picked
up an injury - meaning replacement Chris May, making his league debut, had to
keep Forest at bay.
Teams
Brighton Kuipers (May 85), Mayo, El-Abd, Hinshelwood, Butters,
Harding, Reid, Carpenter, Oatway, Knight, Hart (Jones 88).
Subs Not Used: Nicolas, Molango, Hammond.
Booked: Oatway, El-Abd.
Nottm Forest Gerrard, Louis-Jean, Rogers, Morgan, Doig, Evans,
Reid, Commons, Derry, Taylor, King (Johnson 90).
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Thompson, Impey, Folly.
Booked: Gerrard, Reid.
Att: 6,704
Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook