If the foundations of a promotion campaign are built around a generous helping of good fortune, Joe Royle undoubtedly used up most of his quota last night.

Royle, the Ipswich manager, was grateful for both the brilliance of goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and the woodwork as Darren Bent's equaliser salvaged a point to eradicate Paul Evans' opener. Davis denied Forest with a string of sublime saves but could only watch as Andy Reid, David Johnson and Gareth Taylor all struck the goal frame in the second half.

Ipswich's mission to give Royle a fitting retirement present with promotion will undoubtedly hinge on such talent as precocious teenager Dean Bowditch - surprisingly dropped last night. But Darren Bent, 20, patently wanted to steal some of the limelight. Bent arrowed a 25-yard effort inches wide in the ninth minute before slashing a volley over as he laid siege on Paul Gerrard's goal.

Forest manager Joe Kinnear will be trying to keep Andy Reid away from the Premiership predators. Reid carved Forest's first chance with a delicious centre to find Gareth Taylor, whose fierce header was spectacularly palmed over by Davis.

But Forest did take the lead when Davis again saved smartly from David Johnson, only for Evans to gleefully ram home the rebound.

Reid slammed a vicious volley against the crossbar two minutes after the break before Johnson wasted a glorious opportunity to put the game beyond his former employers by heading against a post from two yards out.

A costly miss. Kevin Horlock's corner was flicked on by Jason De Vos and Bent flicked home at the second attempt, although the visitors had a let-off when Taylor nodded a Reid cross against the woodwork.

John Percy (Daily Telegraph)