Forest had to settle for a point in a game they ought to have won at a
canter.
They missed a penalty and in a frantic late finish, were denied at the death
by some brilliant goalkeeping from Simon Tracey.
The Blades goalkeeper produced a string of late saves and with Forest also
having an effort from substitute Stern John disallowed for offside, it was a
frustrating finale for manager David Platt.
But he went into the game thinking a point would clinch Forest's safety - so
on that count alone he must have been pleased.
In many ways, it was almost a miracle the game was completed with torrential
rain in the first half threatening a possible abandonment.
There was so much surface water on the pitch that the game was reduced to a
farce for long periods - but Barrow referee Trevor Jones decided to let the
players battle through and reach half time.
Thankfully the sun came through and as the pitch began to dry out, Forest put
together the fluency that promised to deliver their third victory in four
games.
Their best chance of doing that, however, came in the 37th minute when Tracey
was harshly adjudged to have brought down Jack Lester in a goalmouth that
resembled a swimming pool.
But Tracey, after collecting a yellow card, flung himself to his right to
bring off a crucial save.
He also made significant stops towards the end, most notably from a header by
substitute John.
The Trinidad and Tobago striker also had a 20-yard effort ruled out for
offside and another Forest substitute Andy Gray also struck the base of the
post.
It was all Forest in the late stages but United had enjoyed their best moments
in the opening half.
The outstanding Shaun Murphy vacated his defensive duties to head just past
the post from a Bruno Ribeiro corner and just before half time United conjured
up another opening that promised a breakthrough.
Laurent D'Jaffo got clear down the right and from his cross Wayne Quinn moved
in to volley two feet over the bar.
Teams:
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Terry, Hjelde, Vaughan, Scimeca,
Prutton, Bart-Williams, Johnson (Gray 70), Rogers,
Harewood (John 63), Lester.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Cooper, Edds.
Booked: Vaughan, Rogers.
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Kozluk, Murphy, Sandford, Quinn, Devlin,
Ribeiro (Brown 61), Ford, Woodhouse, D'Jaffo, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Gysbrechts, Woodward, Wilson, Hamilton.
Booked: Sandford, Quinn.
Att: 17,172
Ref: T Jones (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria).
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