Irish Sunday Mirror

Hail gutsy Grabban

- By NEIL GOULDING at Ewood Park

NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Aitor Karanka hailed Lewis Grabban’s character to grab a point from the spot after an earlier penalty shocker.

Grabban bagged a brace, his leveller coming 10 minutes from time, after blasting an early penalty over. “There was no doubt that Lewis should take the second penalty,” said Karanka, whose side have failed to win at Ewood Park in seven league games.

“I know a player who scores almost 20 goals a season has strong character.”

Midfield star Bradley Dack set up Adam Armstrong’s brilliant finish before bagging one himself as Blackburn’s impressive unbeaten home league run extended to 25 games. And they might have won yesterday had not former Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon pulled off some fine saves.

Forest are a point off the playoffs but Karanka said: “There are a lot of games left. But we have improved over the past couple of weeks.”

Grabban’s early penalty howler came after Darragh Lenihan fouled Michael Hefele and the striker fired over the bar. But Grabban (below) put Forest ahead early in the second half before Armstrong and Dack turned it round. Grabban , though, made no mistake second time around after Joe Lolley was hauled down. Frustrated Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said: “It feels a bit like Groundhog Day only getting a point when we should have won.”

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