Match ends, Burton Albion 0, Nottingham Forest 0.
BurtonBurton Albion0Nottm ForestNottingham Forest0
Burton Albion's winless home run was extended to 12 matches as they failed to break down 10-man Nottingham Forest.
The Brewers were given a golden chance after half an hour when Forest's Eric Lichaj was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge on Martin Samuelsen.
Burton went on to dominate, with Darren Bent heading just over and Samuelsen's long-range strike forcing a low save from Costel Pantilimon.
But Nigel Clough's side could not turn their pressure into a precious winner.
Forest boss Aitor Karanka promised changes following their third straight defeat by Hull City, and he made six of them, including debuts for centre-back Tomas Figueiredo and midfielder Ben Watson, who was made captain.
And the visitors started well, Joe Lolley linking up well with Matty Cash and forcing a save from Stephen Bywater with a crisp shot.
But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Burton grew in confidence after a shaky opening, especially after Lichaj's dismissal.
Clear chances remained at a premium from two out-of-form sides, with Samuelsen volleying straight at Pantilimon and Burton team-mates Hope Akpan and Lucas Akins both failing to find a decisive goal.
Burton, who have not won at the Pirelli Stadium since 21 September, remain bottom on goal difference from Sunderland, while Forest - who have won just once in their past 11 league outings - stay 17th.
Burton manager Nigel Clough:
"It's a highly unusual situation for us to have the majority of the possession and dominate the game the way we did.
"Then you need a little bit of quality, a cross or a finish or something, and that's what we have been lacking all season.
"We had four or five very good situations today and we just needed one to go in. But there were good performances and play, and if you compare it to how we were against Reading then it looks a completely different team."
Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"It's been an amazing performance for me; I'm really proud of the players. It's been difficult.
"Everybody needed a performance today. I don't think that was a red card. It's not our day to complain. It's our day to look forward, though, because I'm proud.
"[Ben] Watson is the player who is going to wear the armband, but I want five or six captains in the changing room."
Line-ups
Burton
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Bywater
- 10AkinsBooked at 12mins
- 15Naylor
- 5McFadzean
- 2BrayfordSubstituted forSbarraat 59'minutes
- 19Davenport
- 20Samuelsen
- 4AllenSubstituted forBoyceat 69'minutes
- 21AkpanSubstituted forMurphyat 90+1'minutes
- 11Dyer
- 9Bent
Substitutes
- 7Murphy
- 14McCrory
- 23Buxton
- 24Campbell
- 25Barker
- 26Sbarra
- 27Boyce
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Pantilimon
- 27Darikwa
- 3Figueiredo
- 13Fox
- 2LichajBooked at 28mins
- 32Watson
- 18ColbackBooked at 90mins
- 14Cash
- 15TomlinSubstituted forDowellat 89'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 23LolleySubstituted forOsbornat 32'minutes
- 17BreretonBooked at 29minsSubstituted forMurphyat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Guédioura
- 7Bridcutt
- 9Murphy
- 11Osborn
- 20Dowell
- 31Bouchalakis
- 33Kapino
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 5,775
Match Stats
Home TeamBurtonAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home71%
- Away29%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burton Albion 0, Nottingham Forest 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Murphy (Burton Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacob Davenport.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lucas Akins (Burton Albion) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lloyd Dyer.
Booking
Kieran Dowell (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Ben Osborn tries a through ball, but Kieran Dowell is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Luke Murphy replaces Hope Akpan.
Booking
Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Jacob Davenport (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ben Watson (Nottingham Forest).
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Kieran Dowell replaces Lee Tomlin.
Post update
Offside, Burton Albion. Joe Sbarra tries a through ball, but Lucas Akins is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kyle McFadzean (Burton Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyle McFadzean (Burton Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacob Davenport.
Post update
Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Daniel Fox.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Burton Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Sbarra with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Jack Colback.
Post update
Attempt saved. Martin Samuelsen (Burton Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Akins.
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Liam Boyce replaces Jamie Allen.
