Nottingham Forest were denied victory at Norwich through their own poor finishing and the fine goalkeeping of Canaries stopper Robert Green.

Forest's 16-goal striker David Johnson had an off-key night and spurned several chances to earn his side a victory would have lifted them to within one point of their opponents.

Neither side were shy to try their luck from distance and after a few early long-range efforts, which did not trouble either goalkeeper.

But when Forest's Marlon Harewood was presented with a close-range effort after five minutes he mishit his shot and the ball drifted wide.

Riccardo Scimeca also should have done better for the visitors nine minutes later, missing the target when well positioned, and then Johnson forced the first save from Green.

Paul Hart's men were dominating and Jack Lester, recalled after netting a last-gasp equaliser as a substitute against Leicester on Saturday, had another great chance to give them the lead.

But his 22nd-minute shot was blocked by defender Adam Drury.

Little threat

On the half-hour mark, Norwich defender Darren Kenton was replaced by Craig Fleming because of injury.

Two minutes later Green had to make a superb save, tipping a Scimeca shot round the post after the former Aston Villa man had connected with a Mathieu Louis-Jean cross.

Scimeca looked determined to get on the scoresheet and his curling free-kick went just wide three minutes before a break which could hardly come quickly enough for the hosts.

The second half started in much the same vein with a Harewood strike being blocked and another Scimeca set-piece being held by Green.

Norwich's first shot on target came from Gary Holt but did not unduly trouble Forest keeper Darren Ward.

After Green had saved again from Johnson, Norwich sent on Mark Rivers for the injured Phil Mulryne and on-loan Bolton man Nicky Southall in place of Neil Emblen.

But the changes did little to increase their threat.

Johnson was having a nightmare in front of goal and dragged another effort wide from close range 17 minutes from time.

David Nielsen then made Ward produce his best save of the match two minutes into stoppage time as Norwich nearly grabbed an unlikely winner.

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Mackay, Drury, Emblen, Mulryne, Holt, McVeigh, Nielsen, Roberts. Subs: Crichton, Rivers, Fleming, Abbey, Southall.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Walker, Dawson, Brennan, Scimeca, Prutton, Williams, Lester, Harewood, Johnson. Subs: Roche, Jess, Hjelde, Doig, Reid.

Referee: J Ross (Essex)