Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Darren Ward turned in an inspired performance to
frustrate promotion-chasing Wolves, who were held to a 2-2 draw at the City
Ground.
The First Division leaders went three points clear at the top but were unable
to stretch their advantage any further against a determined Forest side who owed
much to Ward's fine series of saves.
Dean Sturridge opened the scoring after 11 minutes but Ward's defiance
prevented the visitors getting further goals their dominance deserved.
And Wolves were stunned in the 53rd minute when Andy Gray netted Forest's
equaliser, although they were quick to regain the initiative.
Joleon Lescott made it 2-1 to the visitors within six minutes of Gray's goal,
but Forest earned a hard-fought point when Marlon Harewood struck after 67
minutes.
It was the visitors who made a stirring start and won their first corner
within 45 seconds, but Jim Brennan was on hand to clear the danger.
However Wolves maintained a fast tempo in the opening 10 minutes, and after
Nathan Blake and Sturridge had gone close, their approach paid dividends when
Sturridge converted Mark Kennedy's cross from close range.
Further chances followed as the rampant visitors continued to apply the
pressure.
Blake had another effort blocked by Kevin Dawson and, after Ward had plucked
Sturridge's 17th-minute drive out of the air, the Forest goalkeeper denied Blake
with his feet.
Ward was being given a searching examination but responded with an inspired
performance.
The 27-year-old stopped a close-range Paul Butler header before pulling off a
brilliant save to again deny Blake, whose shot he tipped round the post.
Shaun Newton was next to be foiled by Ward, when his 18-yard volley from
Kennedy's cross was saved in the 25th minute.
Ward's opposite number Michael Oakes was a virtual spectator but was
eventually called into action three minutes later, when he comfortably saved
Eugen Bopp's hopeful 30-yard effort.
Back at the other end even Blake's acrobatic overhead kick could not find a
way past Ward, while Keith Andrews and Sturridge failed to trouble him with
further attempts from the edge of the penalty box.
Wolves were made to pay for their profligacy eight minutes into the second
half when Jack Lester played in Gray, who slotted past Oakes to level the
scores.
But the First Division leaders needed just six minutes to re-establish their
advantage, and it was Lescott who headed past Ward from Blake's cross just
before the hour mark.
However Forest rallied again and after Lescott had blocked Gray's close-range
shot, Harewood applied the finishing touch to Mathieu Louis-Jean's cross and
pulled the hosts back on terms for the second time.
Blake and Newton then spurned good chances to regain the lead for Wolves,
while Lester and Harewood both fired wide at the other end.
Opportunities continued to open up at both ends but Ward had the final say
when he pulled off another stunning save to keep out Andrews' point-blank
header.
Teams
Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Brennan, Dawson, Prutton, Williams, Bopp, Gray, Reid, Harewood, Lester.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Roche, Cash, Edds, Edwards.
Booked: Lester.
Goals: Gray 54, Harewood 67.
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Camara, Lescott, Butler, Andrews, Newton, Cameron, Kennedy, Blake (Ndah 76), Sturridge.
Subs Not Used: Pollet, Rae, Miller, Murray.
Booked: Sturridge.
Goals: Sturridge 11, Lescott 60.
Att: 21,010
Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).
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