GRABB A POINT
Relief for Forest as lethal Lewis nets late to earn share of spoils
LEWIS GRABBAN’S late equaliser rescued a point for Nottingham Forest.
Grabban struck eight minutes from time when he touched home from Brennan Johnson’s cross from the left.
Morgan Gibbs-White – who won the Under-17 World Cup with England under Forest boss Steve Cooper – had broken the deadlock when he tapped in Billy Sharp’s cross in the 78th minute.
United striker Rhian Brewster had a late chance to win the game but could only shoot straight at Brice Samba as his desperate wait for a first league goal for the club goes on.
The result means the Blades stay ahead of Forest in the table on goals scored after both sides struggled to create meaningful chances on a cold night in Nottingham.
The first half was devoid of chances with just one shot on target – Jayden Bogle was denied by Samba at his near post after 37 minutes.
Prior to that Joe Lolley curled narrowly wide after driving with the ball from halfway to the edge of the Blades penalty area.
What half-chances there were fell to Forest.
James Garner’s corner from the right was stabbed behind by Lyle Taylor from six yards out.
United’s only other notable effort of the first period came when the former Liverpool youngster Brewster blazed a halfvolley over the bar. He must be wondering what on earth has happened to a career that once looked so promising.
Forest almost broke the deadlock with the last touch of the half when Joe Worrall’s flicked header at the near post from Garner’s corner drifted wide.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Bogle’s blocked effort from distance the only effort of note.
United’s Ben Osborn received a warm reception when the Forest academy graduate was replaced by another former Nottingham man in Sharp. And Sharp made an immediate impact when his ball across the box from the left was turned home by Gibbs-White for his fourth league goal of the season.
But the lead lasted just five minutes. Fellow sub Grabban (above) finished at the second attempt after a fine cross from Johnson.
The luckless Brewster spurned a golden chance to win the game for the Blades after Gibbs-White broke on the counter.
The Yorkshire side were the toast of the Premier League three seasons ago but they are really struggling in the lower tier right now. Indeed they’ve won only five of their 16 Championship games this season.
Not that Forest are flying. In eight games at home this season, they’ve won only one. And they’re at home again this weekend, with Preston the visitors.