Nottingham Forest 2 Blackburn Rovers 2 - Peter White's big match verdict

AT half time on a tumultuous afternoon, the murky waters of the neighbouring Trent must have seemed an inviting proposition for Brian Kidd as he saw another side of the Jekyll and Hide Blackburn Rovers team he has inherited.

But, by the end of a pulsating game, the Rovers boss must have felt capable of doing a Cloughie and walking across the waterway unaided.

Their own errors compounded by the blunders of the match officials, particularly on two crucial penalty decisions, Rovers were two down and second best.

But, when it came to sink or swim, they produced such a remarkable show of character and attacking football they threatened to sweep Nottingham Forest into oblivion.

Justice was done in the third minute of stoppage time with a belated equaliser. If it had arrived any earlier Rovers, surely, would have gone on to win.

Ultimately, Forest were undone by their own timewasting tactics as you could see them, hanging on by their fingertips, visibly wince when the 'extra' five minutes was displayed.

It was enough time for Kidd to send on Damien Duff to replace the magnificent but tiring Jason Wilcox and when he produced the cross for Nathan Blake's second goal it seemed the manager had the Midas touch.

Rovers, it must be said, failed to start functioning at 3pm, whereas Forest, controlling the centre of midfield, were straight out of the blocks and deserved a lead, if not the two-goal cushion they somewhat fortunately established.

A contrasting team performance of two halves was, curiously, summed up by their manager's moods.

The passionate, totally-involved side of Kidd was visible when he charged exuberantly down the touchline, fists clenched in triumph to celebrate the equaliser. Only minutes later, it was a thoughtful and composed manager who visited the Press room. He calmly handed credit for the comeback to the players and steadfastly refused to have a go at the officials - talking only about a difficult job and honest mistakes.

I must ask him for the secret of such restraint!

Kidd's consistent verdict that it is going to be a long haul to safety was underlined as Rovers had to dig deep to take something from one of their biggest rivals.

But he saw enough to believe that the spirit is there to achieve it.

And, whatever anyone thought about the vital decisions, this was tremendous, gripping entertainment.

At 3.30pm a Rovers draw looked like an impossible dream but, by the end, there was only one team going to win it - as Kevin Keegan might have said.

They were pretty poor going forward in the first half, new boy Keith Gillespie being starved of the ball as Forest piled into them and were gifted a 22nd minute lead.

Stephane Henchoz was involved in a tame touchline clash with Andy Johnson - the sort of confrontation which happens dozens of times in a game.

This time, however, the linesman intervened, put his flag across his chest and, despite furious Rovers protests, a penalty was given. It was infuriating but Steve Chettle blasted home a ferocious spot kick.

Eight minutes later, Rovers looked in desperate trouble as the ball was played through to Neil Shipperley in the inside left position. His cross-cum-shot was saved by Filan but Dougie Freedman, in a crowd, got a touch to the rebound and they were staring into the abyss.

The scoreline should have changed before half time when Nathan Blake raced through and was clearly held back.

It should have been a penalty and a red card but, inexplicably, the referee did a Manuel and, while from Barnsley rather than Barcelona, Mr Lodge was saying "I know nothing".

When Davidson and Christian Dailly allowed Freedman to run between them two minutes into the second half, it could have been a catastrophe but he shot wide and that was a major turning point.

Almost immediately, Billy McKinlay picked out Jason Wilcox on the left. He played in another great cross and Blake lunged forward with his right foot to make it 2-1.

Forest had occasional chances on the break but, for the rest of the game, it was a case of Rovers powering forward.

On the hour, Forest keeper Dave Beasant could have been sent off near the halfway line as he attempted to hammer the ball, after a corner had been cleared, back into Rovers' box.

Chris Sutton charged it down, seemed to be fouled by Beasant but double disappointment came as Wilcox missed the untended goal with his attempt from around 35 yards.

Blake powered a header just over from another McKinlay-Wilcox combination, the keeper made fine saves from McKinlay and Tim Sherwood and looked like emerging as the Forest hero.

But on came Duff and justice was seen to be done. He crossed from the left, Sutton headed against the bar and Blake thumped home the rebound to spark scenes of mass hysteria among the Rovers fans. It was a moment worthy of celebration.

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