Sabri’s determined not to blow it after latest home slump
gave cheap fouls away. They have 6ft 4in lads in there.
“I enjoyed the game. People say Brighton are soft but there was nothing soft from them. It was full-blooded, they got blocks in.
“Neither are we a stereotypical out-of-the Championship, smacking-balls-up-front side. Anyone who says that should not be commenting on the game.”
United went ahead when Oliver Norwood swung in a cross after working a short corner routine. Dan Burn got in a defensive header, flicking the ball out wide.
Enda Stevens reacted first to gather and volley a superb shot into the top corner, his second goal of the season.
“It was a decent goal – if he had a different shirt on at a more glamorous club, people would rave about it all weekend,” said Wilder.
The Blades’ lead did not last long after a rare sloppy episode of defending at a set-piece.
Aaron Mooy swung in a deep free-kick which Adam Webster nodded back across goal.
Maupay sneaked in to touch past keeper Dean Henderson to break his 10-game goal drought.
“Maupay? It was a sharp goal,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter. “It was a reward for his overall performance and sacrifice for his team.
“The reality is he has done his best for the team and in the end his quality showed. He got a personal reward from a selfless performance.”
Henderson was looking to impress England boss Gareth Southgate – watching in the directors’ box – but could have done better to snuff out the danger.
It was not easy on the eye but Wilder was happy to stay unbeaten in three and in touch with the top five.
He added: “I’d have stayed behind to clap at the end. I thought it was an excellent performance. We tried to win.
“I have told the players I am delighted with what I have seen. People may think I have been on the beer saying that.”
Potter added: “It’s a good point at a hostile ground.”
A PUFF of wind – that is all it took to blow Forest’s promotion bid a bit further off course and make it a very satisfying return to the City Ground for Mark Warburton.
The QPR boss did not last long at Forest but then neither has anyone else in the last 10 years.
So it must have been particularly pleasing for him to watch his former charges endure an afternoon of frustration.
It might have been a completely different game had a Joe Worrall header been allowed to stand in the first half.
Referee Robert Jones did actually give it, not spotting that the ball was moving as corner taker Joe Lolley teed up. Jubilant Forest players celebrated only to see Jones’ assistant flag the incident and it was back to the drawing board.
Forest coach Sabri Lamouchi said: “It was a fantastic goal but rules are rules and the ball moved.
“I saw my players very down today.
“I told them I cannot complain. They tried for the victory and Joe Lolley came so close at the end.
“We need to be strong, passionate and focus. We were efficient defensively but we need to be more efficient offensively.
“We missed the touch, or the last pass – small details.”
Forest have not won in three matches and are six points adrift of Leeds. More worryingly, they seem unable to pick off teams at home – Charlton 10 days ago and now Rangers.
Now they will be tested on their travels with games at Cardiff and Middlesbrough.
Lamouchi added: “We controlled the game in difficult conditions and it is frustrating. We knew QPR would be tough but we played with a good rhythm and two more points change a lot.”
Forest could have won a match in which QPR goalkeeper Liam Kelly was asked all the serious questions including dealing with a Sammy Ameobi 25-yard effort.
The swirling wind intervened again in the first half when Thiago Silva’s floated ball carried in the breeze and hit the bar.
It then took a double clearance off the line from Angel Rangel and Dominic Ball to spoil it for Adama Diakhaby and Silva.
Brice Samba in the Forest goal was also called into action to save from Ryan Manning after good work by Marc Pugh.
Ebere Eze, playing the 100th game of his career, could have capped the landmark with a free-kick but it went just the wrong side of a post.
Rangers boss Warburton said: “This is a division where you have to stand up and for us to come here and get a point is pleasing.
“The ball was moving but I would have been raging if it had been against me. In this division put a run together and you can go from 15 to fifth in a heartbeat.”