Report by Steve Garland, from the City Ground.
Snapshot
A superb performance by 'keeper David Marshall ensured Cardiff City added a vital away point to their play-off cause, as they held third placed Nottingham Forest to a goalless draw at the City Ground.
Cardiff provided much of the early impetus in the first half but failed to take advantage of their early pressure despite peppering the Forest danger zone with a series of corners.
It almost cost the Bluebirds, as Darcy Blake misjudged the flight of a deep punt forward soon after, allowing former City star Robert Earnshaw to go one on one with Marshall. It seemed a certain score, only for the Scot to pull off the first of a string of superb saves.
Forest continued to threaten on the counter attack, but again failed to convert two tantalising crosses from Guy Moussi and then Nathan Tyson, ensuring the sides went into the break on level terms.
City failed to regain their first half momentum going into the second period, as the home side asked all the questions. Forest continued to threaten from crosses from the flanks and Earnshaw and Dexter Blackstock were guilty of wasting a number of chances as the home side looked to break the deadlock.
But it was down to Marshall to ensure that the scores remained level late on. Blackstock capitalised on some slack defending from Blake and looked certain to score, only to be thwarted by a superb full stretch save from the Scottish International.
Chronological Report
Still on a high from a last minute derby day victory over Swansea City and a six match unbeaten run, Cardiff travelled to the midlands to take on third placed Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The Bluebirds faced a tough test against a Forest side that were looking for a club record thirteenth consecutive home victory. But it was Cardiff who asked the early questions as Joe Ledley looked to capitalise on Darcy Blake's knockdown from a McCormack corner before seeing his effort blocked by a last-ditch tackle.
City were controlling the majority of possession in the early stages, reducing Forest to counter attacks. But it brought the best chance of the half for the home side, as Blake misjudged his clearance header to allow Robert Earnshaw to charge through on goal, with just over five minutes gone. One on one with David Marshall, the Bluebirds' all time record scorer looked certain to put Forest in front, but was instead thwarted by a superb Marshall save from his left footed effort.
The Bluebirds returned to dominate possession, but failed to capitalise on their pressure from a series of four consecutive corners. Indeed Forest would have the next chance as neat interplay on the right hand side fell to Guy Moussi on the edge of the area. The Frenchman whipped in a tantalising cross into the six yard box which was just too deep for Chris Cohen at the far post.
Both sides were showing why they were third and fourth in the Championship table, showing some neat play. With twenty minutes gone, McCormack looked to catch out Camp in the Forest goal with a free-kick tight from the left flank, the Scot's shot making the Forest keeper scramble to the near post to save.
City were nearly caught out just five minutes later, as McPhail's quick free-kick was blocked and cleared by Forest on the left flank, setting Nathan Tyson free to charge into the City danger area. Tyson whipped another low cross into the heart of the Bluebirds six yard box, but once again there was no Forest player to tap home.
With half an hour gone Forest looked to have finally settled in the tie, but it signalled a lull in play as both teams struggled to bring about any clear cut chances.
Indeed as the first half drew to a close neither keeper was really tested as both sides cancelled each other out. But it had been a good first half performance from the Bluebirds who proved that they were more than a match for third place Forest.
HALF TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-0 CARDIFF CITY
The second half started as the first finished as both sides continued to cancel each other out. Forest perhaps held the majority of the early possession though, testing Cardiff's resolve with a series of deep crosses.
It was a period Forest continued to enjoy and it brought their first second half chance on the hour mark. Cohen curled in a cross from the left hand side, finding Dexter Blackstock who had evaded marker Gerrard; but the former Queens Park Rangers striker could only head tamely into Marshall's waiting arms.
Nottingham Forest Substitution: Radoslaw Majewski off - Garath McCleary on (64 mins)
The Bluebirds had struggled to regain the impetus they had at times in the first half and were often penned into their own half with little outlet going forward. But the Bluebirds almost took the lead with their first effort of the second period, Ross McCormack's superbly struck long range effort stinging the hands of Forest keeper Lee Camp with just over twenty minutes to go.
It was a rare venture into the Forest half for the Bluebirds and the home side soon regained their impetus in the game, as Tyson again troubled down the left flank. The striker this time hit a cross from the touchline to find Earnshaw in the penalty area, but he could only head high and wide of the Cardiff goal.
Cardiff City Substitution: Kelvin Etuhu off - Aaron Wildig on (73 mins)
Forest continued to push for the winner and caught out Blake for the second time in the match as Blackstock stole the ball on the edge of the area. The striker strode forward and looked certain to score, only to be thwarted by a magnificent full stretch save from Marshall in the City goal.
Nottingham Forest Substitution: Robert Earnshaw off - David McGoldrick on (83 mins)
Cardiff had yet been involved in a scoreless draw so far this season, but they would have certainly taken a point as Forest continued to look like the most likely side to break the deadlock. The tension was seemingly getting to the Bluebirds though as Gerrard and Marshall had serious words with just four minutes remaining.
The pressure continued to build on Cardiff in the closing stages of the game and substitute Garath McLeary was the latest to fire a cross into the danger area. He again found the head of Blackstock on the edge of the six yard box, but he again failed to test Marshall with his headed effort with two minutes remaining.
There would be little time left for Forest to carve open another opportunity, as the Bluebirds battled to hold onto a vital away point at one of the league's fortresses. It ensured Cardiff moved six points clear of play-off challengers Blackpool and four points ahead of Swansea City in fifth position. Forest's draw also ensured that Newcastle United were promoted to the Premier League ahead of their evening kick-off against Sheffield United.
FULL TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-0 CARDIFF CITY
