Darren Bent headed narrowly over as Burton missed the chance of a rare home win
Burton Albion's winless home run was extended to 12 matches as they failed to break down 10-man Nottingham Forest.
The Brewers were given a golden chance after half an hour when Forest's Eric Lichaj was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge on Martin Samuelsen.
Burton went on to dominate, with Darren Bent heading just over and Samuelsen's long-range strike forcing a low save from Costel Pantilimon.
But Nigel Clough's side could not turn their pressure into a precious winner.
Forest boss Aitor Karanka promised changes following their third straight defeat by Hull City, and he made six of them, including debuts for centre-back Tomas Figueiredo and midfielder Ben Watson, who was made captain.
And the visitors started well, Joe Lolley linking up well with Matty Cash and forcing a save from Stephen Bywater with a crisp shot.
But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Burton grew in confidence after a shaky opening, especially after Lichaj's dismissal.
Clear chances remained at a premium from two out-of-form sides, with Samuelsen volleying straight at Pantilimon and Burton team-mates Hope Akpan and Lucas Akins both failing to find a decisive goal.
Burton, who have not won at the Pirelli Stadium since 21 September, remain bottom on goal difference from Sunderland, while Forest - who have won just once in their past 11 league outings - stay 17th.
Burton manager Nigel Clough:
"It's a highly unusual situation for us to have the majority of the possession and dominate the game the way we did.
"Then you need a little bit of quality, a cross or a finish or something, and that's what we have been lacking all season.
"We had four or five very good situations today and we just needed one to go in. But there were good performances and play, and if you compare it to how we were against Reading then it looks a completely different team."
Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"It's been an amazing performance for me; I'm really proud of the players. It's been difficult.
"Everybody needed a performance today. I don't think that was a red card. It's not our day to complain. It's our day to look forward, though, because I'm proud.
"[Ben] Watson is the player who is going to wear the armband, but I want five or six captains in the changing room."
- Published9 February 2018
