Nottingham Forest 0 The Whites 0

Last updated : 17 March 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Gareth Taylor also hit the post in a draw which leaves the former European champions four points adrift of safety in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Injuries and a virus meant Megson was without seven players that appeared in the 6-0 drubbing at Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Matthieu Louis-Jean made a surprise return in defence for Andy Melville and Kevin James, James Perch, John Thompson, Ross Gardner and Eugen Bopp came in for Alan Rogers, David Friio, Darryl Powell, Commons and Scott Dobie.

The Whites made two enforced changes, with Fraser Richardson and Danny Pugh coming in for Michael Gray and Sean Gregan, both suspended.

Forest started well and in the sixth minute James crossed for Gardner who was crowded out before he was able to get a shot in.

Richardson was injured and replaced by Clarke Carlisle in the 7th minute with Matthew Kilgallon filling in at left-back.

Perch then crossed for James at the back post but he couldn't quite reach the ball.

John Curtis forced Neil Sullivan to make a smart save as Forest continued to dominate before the Leeds keeper denied Perch.

James fired over the bar while Bopp and Perch both went close to breaking the deadlock before the interval.

Forest nearly scored in the 47th minute when Gregor Robertson sent an excellent cross into the box but Taylor's diving header came back off the bar.

Megson brought on Commons for Bopp in the final half hour, and Leeds introduced Seth Johnson for a poor Jermaine Wright for only his second appearance of the season.

Forest were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute when Gary Kelly brought down substitute Kris Commons.

However, when Commons got up to take the spot-kick himself he slipped as he struck the ball to allow Sullivan to smother his effort on the line, his fourth penalty stop of the season.

That proved to be Forest's last chance and they now have just nine games to save themselves from relegation to League One while Leeds look set to miss out on the play-offs.