Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 2, Nottingham Forest 2.
BoltonBolton Wanderers2Nottm ForestNottingham Forest2
Striker Britt Assombalonga twice brought Nottingham Forest level as they shared the points from a Championship draw at Bolton Wanderers.
Joe Mason headed Bolton ahead inside four minutes but Assombalonga's close-range finish cancelled out the lead.
David Wheater slotted home to restore the hosts' advantage before Assombalonga equalised from the spot.
Forest then dominated but Craig Davies could have won it for Bolton had his late header not gone over the bar.
The stalemate ensured that Stuart Pearce retained his unbeaten record since returning to Forest as boss, while Dougie Freedman saw his Bolton side collect their first point of the season against his former club.
The Trotters went ahead when a free-kick from Jay Spearing was powered home by debutant Mason but needed Adam Bogdan's double save to deny Matty Fryatt an equaliser.
Assombalonga's first goal for Forest, coming from a Chris Burke cross and Michail Antonio knock-down, restored parity but Wanderers took just two minutes to again move in front.
David Wheater had an easy finish inside the six-yard box after Danny Fox made a mess of his attempt to clear.
Forest's record signing Assombalonga then grabbed his second to again level, picking himself up to score from the spot after he was felled by Spearing.
Fryatt's deflected effort was well saved by Bogdan at the end of the first half, and Assombalonga's glancing header from Antonio's cross went wide as he sought a hat-trick after the break.
Andy Reid's shot sailed just over as Forest chased a third win, while Bolton rued Davies' late miss as the two sides finished level.
Bolton manager Dougie Freedman:
"I thought it was a very good attacking display by two teams and a good advertisement for the Championship.
"I felt a fair result was a draw. We played against a very good team who have spent a bit of money but I didn't think there was a lot in the game."
Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce:
"With our attacking play we probably deserved to win. We gifted Bolton the first goal, let alone the second, with a poor defensive hash up.
"We have some real talent in the team and some real endeavour as well so I am really pleased with what I have seen so far.
"In all honesty if we play to the best of our ability I will always come away disappointed we haven't won a game."
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Bogdan
- 2McNaughton
- 5Ream
- 4MillsBooked at 90mins
- 31Wheater
- 44KamaraSubstituted forPratleyat 66'minutesBooked at 85mins
- 6SpearingBooked at 37mins
- 27Lee
- 18DannsSubstituted forTrotterat 70'minutes
- 9Mason
- 28DaviesSubstituted forBeckfordat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Feeney
- 10Beckford
- 14Dervite
- 17Trotter
- 21Pratley
- 24Lonergan
- 35Wilkinson
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Darlow
- 13Fox
- 25Hobbs
- 17Hunt
- 3Harding
- 8Cohen
- 11Reid
- 27BurkeSubstituted forMcLaughlinat 90'minutes
- 18AntonioSubstituted forLichajat 86'minutes
- 7FryattSubstituted forVeldwjikat 90+2'minutes
- 9Assombalonga
Substitutes
- 2Lichaj
- 14Veldwjik
- 21Paterson
- 29de Vries
- 30McLaughlin
- 37Grant
- 38Osborn
- Referee:
- Eddie Ilderton
- Attendance:
- 15,753
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away20
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away7
- Corners
- Home2
- Away10
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 2, Nottingham Forest 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lars Veldwjik (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Chris Cohen.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Lars Veldwjik replaces Matty Fryatt.
Booking
Matt Mills (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Matt Mills (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andy Reid.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Stephen McLaughlin replaces Chris Burke.
Post update
Offside, Bolton Wanderers. Tim Ream tries a through ball, but Jermaine Beckford is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Jermaine Beckford replaces Craig Davies.
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Hunt with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Matty Fryatt (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Eric Lichaj with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Eric Lichaj replaces Michail Antonio.
Booking
Darren Pratley (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Darren Pratley (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Kevin McNaughton.
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Davies (Bolton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Kevin McNaughton with a cross.
