Nottingham Forest 2 v Derby County 2

Freedman, van Hooijdonk

With a Jazz band playing in the Main Stand carpark before the match as part of the celebrations for a hundred years of playing at the City Ground, we made our way to our seats hoping that the fact that Derby hadn't won here since !971 would be an omen.

It was a good opening 5 mins from both sides with Stone putting a ball across the Derby goal, missing everyone.

Quashie, playing his best game yet, put in two long range shots. It was unusually quite for a local derby and the rival fans were trying desperately to create an atmosphere.

 PvH nearly scored towards the end of the first half with an audacious shot 35 yds out on the left.

The half came to an end with the feeling that Forest were dominating the game and playing some nice football, but as usual couldn't capitalise on their possession.

At half time we had a parade of past players with the oldest being Len Beaumont at 83, he played for the club between 1938-45.

 Others were Bob McKinley, Joe Baker, John McGovern, Ian Storey-Moore, Kenny Burns, Trevor Francis, Neil Webb and Nigel Clough.

What a pity that Brian couldn't have made an appearance tonight, will we ever see him down at the City Ground again?

The second half started as quietly as the first and then completely against the run of play Derby won a penalty which was put away by Dorigo.

Within 5 mins Freedman has equalised with a tap in rebound.

 Suddenly the crowd had something to shout about, and then PvH popped up at the near post from a corner to put The Reds ahead.

In the 72nd min Carbonari put an equaliser past Beasant

With two great saves by both goalkeepers the game came to end. It hadn't been a classic local derby, but at least Forest were not outclassed, in fact with the luck which is deserting them at the moment, they could have won this match easily.

 Quashie was looking good in midfield and Chettle played a captains role at the back.

 Lets see if we can get a result at our favourite away ground, White Hart Lane.