Forest traveled to the County Ground with high hopes of collecting their first away win of the season against one of the Divisions poorer teams, but came away grateful that they managed to get one point.
Forest did not play well today, and apart from the first twenty minutes it was Swindon who made most of the running, although the play was scrappy from both sides, with lots of un-forced errors and misplaced passes. Even so, both sides could easily have scores in the first half, Ian Wright having an effort cleared off the line after 29 minutes.
But it was Swindon who really came closest to taking the lead after 55 minutes, when Wright's former teamate at Palace, George Ndah, used his pace to get clear of Matrecano leaving himself with only Mark Crossley to beat. This he managed to do but his effort struck the foot of the post and the re-bound was just too far away from his out-stretched leg for him to knock it home.
Crossley, back in goal following his return from International duty with Wales, showed all his class two minutes into injury time, when Griffin found himself in enough space to land a light aircraft. From just inside the box he struck a superb shot, but Norm flung himself to his left to pull off a magnificent save.
This was never a dirty game although it was certainly very physical, but Forest came away with four players yellow carded. On the plus side, Forest showed plenty of grit and determination, qualities that I am certain they will need on plenty of occasions this season, as ordinary run of the mill sides look to take the scalp of the mighty Reds. Today ended goaless, but others may go Forest's way
