Nottingham Forest finish the season in third place and will now meet Blackpool in the semi-finals.

After taking a two goal lead, Forest's search for an away win continued after a late goal gave Scunthorpe an equalizer.

Scunthorpe started the first half well, but once Forest got into their stride they produced the first goal and could have scored several times before getting their second just before the break.

Scunthorpe scored at either end of a second half in which the home side had more of the possession and Forest had few chances on target.

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With the play-offs just a week away, Billy Davies chose to rest a large number of players, making eight changes to the starting-lineup.

Paul Smith, making his first League appearance of the season, had plenty to do in the opening minutes as Scunthorpe started well and the Forest keeper made comfortable saves from efforts by Paul Hayes and David Mirfin.

It was ten minutes before Forest had their first chance when George Boyd slipped the ball to Lewis McGugan who sent a rocket of a ball towards goal. Keeper Josh Lillis reacted quickly, diving to his right to parry the ball away.

Scunthorpe threatened again with an effort by Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson had to stretch to get the ball as far as Smith who cleared the danger.

But it was Forest who took the lead in the 17th minute when Joe Garner took a pass from Boyd and, finding himself unmarked12 yards out, buried the shot low into the corner of the net.

David McGoldrick had a chance to make it two when he took on his man well and curled the ball in from the corner of the six-yard box only to sent the ball flying wide.

Scunthorpe had a chance seven minutes before half time when a good cross by Garry Thompson was met well by Martyn Woolford, but his effort was weak and Smith made the save with ease.

Forest doubled their lead two minutes from the break after a series of passes between four Forest players, who worked the ball from right to left up the pitch where McGoldrick played it into the path of Boyd, who sent the ball flying past an outstretched Lillis.

And they were close again when Joel Lynch's cross hit the crossbar and fell to McGoldrick who shot across the face of goal and just wide of the post.

Forest started the second half with a good chip by Boyd to McGoldrick who did well to get the ball in to Paul Anderson but he wasted his chance, with his effort missing the target.

Scunthorpe were quickly on the attacked and when they won a corner it looked like the ball was going in, but Hooper's effort from six yards was cleared off the line by James Perch.

But the home side found the target with their next corner when Grant McCann's shot came into the penalty area. The first effort was saved well by Smith on the near post but the ball went back across the edge of the 6-yard box where it was put in by Niall Canavan.

And they threatened again when Hayes found Hooper on the edge of the box, but Luke Chambers did well to block the ball and clear the danger.

Forest were stretched again when the ball came in to Hooper who sent the ball over Smith but his effort dipped and hit the crossbar.

The Forest keeper had an easy save to make when McCann's cross found Cliff Byrne but his effort from 12 yards out was caught by Smith.

Anderson became the first Forest player to be substituted, being replaced by Garath McCleary.

Scunthorpe kept up the pressure and Smith was on hand again to stop Hayes' shot which came in low to the near post.

Dele Adebola was brought on for the last nine minutes to take the place of Garner.

Scunthorpe got the equalizer three minutes before time when McCleary gave the ball away 25 yards out. The ball broke for Thompson who smashed it into the top corner, giving Smith no chance.

Forest came close to getting their lead back with a free kick and McGugan's effort was only just wide. He was replaced soon after with Radoslaw Majewski coming on in the 90th minute.

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Perch, Chambers, Wilson(C), Lynch, Anderson(McCleary 78min), Moussi, McGugan(Majewski 90min), Boyd, McGoldrick, Garner(Adebola 82min)
Subs not used: Camp, Gunter, Blackstock, Earnshaw
Scorers: Garner 17min, Boyd 43min

Scunthorpe United: Lillis, Byrne, Mirfin, Canavan, McNulty, Thompson, Togwell, McCann, Woolford, Hayes(Sparrow 81min), Hooper(Forte 90+1min).
Subs not used: Slocombe, A. Wright, O'Connor, J. Wright, McDermott.
Bookings: McCann 77min, Sparrow 89min
Scorers: Canavan 49min, Thompson 87min

Referee: Fred Graham.
Attendance: 8,119 Away attn: 2,153