Nottingham Forest, now seven away games undefeated, produced a performance that saw them come very close to taking all three points.

Poor weather conditions made good, passing play very difficult for both sides from the start and Forest were left fighting to get back into the game after Ipswich took the lead in the first minute.

Robert Earnshaw's first involvement in play, after coming on as a substitute, was to put Forest back on level terms just before the hour mark. And Forest dominated for the majority of the second half, looking by far the better side by the final whistle.

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After starting the last two games with an early goal, Forest were on the receiving end when Ipswich scored in the opening minute, after the ball once again picked up a deflection as it headed into the net.

The long ball came in and was headed on by Jonathan Stead towards Grant Leadbitter who picked up the loose ball to score on his debut for the club.

Forest were quickly on the attack, eager to get a quick equaliser and Dexter Blackstock's header from 12 yards was only just over the bar.

Heavy rain made play difficult but Forest continued to look positive, keeping their shape well as they pushed forward and came close on more than one occasion.

But the referee's approach to awarding free kicks almost every time the game started to flow didn't help create good football and the game was scrappy for a while.

A poor challenge by Joe Garner gave him his fifth yellow card of the season so he will have to serve a one-match ban.

Forest had a chance with a good move by Paul McKenna in getting the ball through to David McGoldrick who turned and passed his defender only to be brought down, to give Forest a free kick just outside the D. But the resulting free kick was poor with Chris Cohen's effort going high over the bar.

And Ipswich missed a chance when Liam Rosenior sent a low cross across the face of goal, but neither Stead or Jonathan Walters could get on the end of it.

Forest were nearly caught out just before half time from a cross by Carlos Edwards when the ball swerved towards Lee Camp's post and forced him to put it out for a corner.

Blackstock, who finished the first half with a bandaged head, did not reappear for the second half, replaced by Dele Adebola.

Forest's second substitution, 13 minutes into the half, produced the equalizer from Robert Earnshaw, on in place of Garner. Chris Gunter sent the ball to Earnshaw's feet, he let it run to Adebola, ran forward to pick the ball back up and chip it into the roof of the net from six yards out.

A surging run by Leadbitter threatened Forest but, after the ball evaded the Forest defence, Camp was able to get a touch on it and put the ball out for a corner.

Some good skill from Forest saw Paul Anderson make a run and cut inside Damien Delaney to get the ball to McGoldrick. He got past his man beautifully but then curled the ball across goal and out the other side.

Forest produced some good, passing football and Ipswich looked increasingly frustrated, although the final passes tended to let Forest down.

For a change, a deflection went in Forest's favour as the ball went off Wes Morgan to go out for a corner. Lee Martin sent the ball in to Gareth McAuley whose header almost put the home side in front, but was cleared off the line by McKenna.

There was drama in the final minute when Forest won a free kick after Adebola got clean through to edge of the box where he was clipped by McAuley, who was sent off. But the incident was just outside the penalty area and the free kick, taken inside the D, just a foot outside the penalty area was wasted when Earnshaw sent the ball straight into the wall.

Forest had Ipswich looking a beaten side but, even with four minutes stoppage time, they could not find the elusive winner.

Nottingham Forest: Lee Camp, Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan, Luke Chambers, Joel Lynch, Chris Cohen, Paul Anderson(Garath McCleary,76min), Joe Garner(Robert Earnshaw,58min), Paul McKenna(C), David McGoldrick, Dexter Blackstock(Dele Adebola,45minHT))
Subs not used: Paul Smith, Kelvin Wilson, Guy Moussi, Lewis McGugan,
Bookings: Garner 32min, Gunter 41min, Adebola 69min, McGoldrick 79min
Scorer:Earnshaw 59min

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Damien Delaney, Gareth McAuley, Alex Bruce(C), Grant Leadbitter, Lee Martin, Jonathan Stead, Jonathan Walters, Liam Rosenior(Liam Trotter 71min,) Carlos Edwards(Jaime Peters 60min) Alan Quinn(Jack Colback 60min)
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Pablo Counango,Tamas Priskin,Tommy Smith,
Bookings: Martin 25min, Leadbitter 45min, Colback 86min, McAuley 90min RED CARD
Scorer: Leadbitter 40sec

Referee: G L Ward
Attendance: 21,130