Two points out of 15 and no wins since January 14 are statistics that tell their own story and if McAllister was in any doubt about the task he faces to land promotion, the failure to complete a double over Northampton put him clearly in the picture.
Forest are due at Elland Road on Tuesday night, while Doncaster will be looking to repeat the win they achieved at Elland Road on January 19 when they host McAllister's men.
United defeated Northampton comfortably at Elland Road on January 5 but since then the Cobblers have remained unbeaten, while United have won just once.
That is in stark contrast to the early weeks of the season when Dennis Wise's team won their first seven league games, swept along by a sense of injustice over the deduction of 15 points.
Jonny Howson's goal seven minutes before the interval at Northampton should have been the prelude to McAllister's first win in charge.
But it was not to be as, with 15 minutes left, substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa swooped to score at the second attempt after a mistake by 'keeper Casper Ankergren.
Akinfenwa had earlier almost scored with his first touch but United failed to heed the warning and were punished.
McAllister must be especially concerned that Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol, whose partnership was so prolific earlier in the season, are finding goals hard to come by.
Leading scorer Beckford has netted just once in his last eight games, while Kandol has not found the target since his double strike at his old club Bournemouth in November.
"The tempo was there and we worked hard but we need to show more quality, which will come in time," said McAllister.
"It was our first point together and our first goal together, so that's a positive factor.
"It was a fantastic goal from Jonathan and a great cross by Bradley Johnson but it was two points dropped rather than one gained. We looked comfortable for most of the game until they scored on the break."
Beckford's fifth booking of the season means he misses the Yorkshire derby at Doncaster next Saturday through suspension.