Nottingham Forest 1-1 Stoke City: Lewis Grabban earns draw with Potters

Lewis Grabban was on target for the second game running as Nottingham Forest shared the points with Stoke.

Wales international Rabbi Matondo, on loan from Schalke, put Stoke ahead with his first goal for the club.

But Grabban snatched the equaliser early in the second half, with the point lifting Forest a place to 17th in the table.

Stoke, who have failed to win in their past five games, also climb a place to 12th.

Forest created little in the first period, although Grabban might have done better when he pounced on Harry Souttar's error but dragged the chance wide.

It was the Potters who broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Josh Tymon broke on the left and whipped in an early cross for Matondo, charging into the box to stab the ball past Brice Samba.

Substitute Anthony Knockaert created Forest's equaliser five minutes into the second half, delivering a cross that the visitors' defence failed to clear and Grabban was on hand to slot home the loose ball.

Neither side looked likely to snatch a winner, although Matondo threatened again and Stoke keeper Adam Davies was called into action to foil Grabban 20 minutes from time.

Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton:

"There were a lot of good things in the performance, we were the better side and we played against a team that are very good at what they do.

"Unless you get those opportunities and goals, then you are always on tenterhooks that you will make a mistake, or they will score a quality goal.

"It was a game we deserved to win but if you aren't putting the ball in the back of the net it becomes harder."

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill:

"We're a little bit disappointed with a draw. First half we were excellent.

"We played on the counter-attack, scored a good goal, and limited them to very little.

"They had possession but they struggled to break us down. It could have been a little bit better with the other opportunities that we had."