Promotion chasing Nottingham Forest were held at home by struggling Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, with a late Paddy McNair penalty leveling the scores.
Ryan Yates’ goal just after the hour mark looked to have given Forest three points, but Jack Robinson’s trip on Marvin Johnson in the box gave McNair the chance to level, and he duly obliged.
The draw leaves Nottingham Forest 12 points adrift of the automatic promotion places , and manager Sabri Lamouchi called for his side to have more character.
As quoted by BBC Sport, the Forest boss said: “We need more character, particularly when we play at home, because the game was in our hands. I am disappointed, because we controlled the game until the goal.
“When we went ahead, we dropped back 20 yards. Maybe we were afraid to win. But we must play for the second goal, to close off the game. If you do not achieve the second goal, do not give them an opportunity. We have a lot of regrets.”
“We need to find a solution. We must keep going; we must be positive. I am upset, like the players – because we lost two points tonight.”
Conversely, Middlesbrough manager Jonathon Woodgate was thrilled with his side’s performance.
He said: “I’m really pleased but I thought it was what we deserved really. The subs we made were really good and they made a difference. You win and lose on making decisions and today we got them right.”
“I’ve got players who are willing to go that extra yard for each other and that showed. I’m really pleased with how the young players have stepped up.”
