Stoke 0-0 Nottm Forest

Stoke fell to third in the league after failing to beat Nottingham Forest.

Wayne Thomas headed wide as Stoke went in search of an opener, before Forest's Wes Morgan saw his effort comfortably held by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

Clive Clarke forced Paul Gerrard to save well and Ade Akinbiyi and Gifton Noel-Williams went close with headers.

Darrel Russell volleyed over but Forest could have nicked it, Paul Evans seeing a goal ruled out for offside and Eoin Jess lashing a volley wide of goal.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
"We must not get carried away. People might have got here expecting us to roll Forest over, but it doesn't happen that way.

"Forest's wage bill is three or four times what we pay and I think my players are doing fantastically in the circumstances.

"Forest have been having a hard time, and they kept this game very tight. That is a big compliment to the progress we have made."

Forest boss Joe Kinnear:
"I thought a point was no more than we deserved.

"Our back four were all home-grown kids out of the academy and they did exceptionally well.

"Andy [Reid] has put in a transfer request and now he will go and play in the reserves."

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Stoke: Simonsen, Thomas, Hill, Taggart, Hall, Russell, Brammer (Guppy 74), Henry (Asaba 84), Clarke, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Neal, Greenacre.

Booked: Brammer.

Nottm Forest: Gerrard, Perch, Morgan, Doig, Rogers, Impey, Evans, Jess, Commons (Robertson 50), Johnson, Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Roche, Bopp, Gardner, Tarka.

Booked: Taylor, Evans.

Att: 21,115.

Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).