Cairney’s goal earns Fulham a point at Forest

Nottingham Forest 1 Fulham 1

Tom Cairney’s coolly taken volley earned Fulham a well-deserved point at the City Ground.

Both sides wasted glorious chances before the break, but it was Nottingham Forest who finally showed some composure in front of goal when Nicklas Bendtner struck with a far-post volley.

But Fulham had shown the greater control and levelled when Cairney also showed a calm head to sidefoot home from close range at the far post.

Fulham had started slowly, in keeping with a side low on confidence after a four-game winless run and a 4-0 home thumping.

And they could have easily fallen behind had Bendtner’s stunning long-range strike been a fraction lower rather than crash off the bar.

But that sparked a 15-minute spell which saw the visitors on top with Scott controlling the midfield and the movement of Sone Aluko and Lucas Piazon causing problems to a nervy home defence.

A swift break should have led to the opening goal, but Matt Smith’s point-blank header was somehow kept out by a brilliant one-handed stop by Reds keeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

David Button then produced the second incredible save of the match to keep out Bendtner’s low shot but the score remained goalless at the break, and until the Dane volleyed in.

Fulham dominated the chances after that, Aluko somehow shooting over from under the bar and having a goal ruled out for offside.

But Cairney netted from Scott Malone’s cross and the Cottagers were unlucky not to win it late on, Smith having another goal wiped off for offside and substitute Chris Martin seeing a shot well saved.