- Two injury-time goals at Hull as Reds draw 1-1
- Forest to face Sheffield United in the Championship play-off semi-finals
Forest travelled to Hull City for the final match of the regular season, with Head Coach Steve Cooper making seven changes from the defeat at Bournemouth.
Four players kept their place from midweek with Brice Samba in goal, captain Joe Worrall, James Garner and Philip Zinckernagel all starting.
All six outfield substitutes from midweek earned starts, with Jonathan Panzo also making his full Forest debut on the left of the back three.
Richie Laryea made his first start in a Reds shirt and Tobias Figueiredo returned to the central defensive position in place of Steve Cook. Cafú made his first start under Steve Cooper, partnering Garner in central midfield, and Joe Lolley started in the left wing-back position. Alex Mighten and Xande Silva formed a new partnership leading the line.
Scott McKenna, Djed Spence, Brennan Johnson and Sam Surridge all dropped to the bench, with Loic Mbe Soh and Braian Ojeda also added to the bench. Steve Cook, Jack Colback and Ryan Yates dropped out of the squad of 18.
The Reds started the match in third position level on points with Huddersfield Town and awaiting results elsewhere to confirm their play-off semi-final schedule.
Hull forced a corner within three minutes which Forest cleared and then a good turn by Silva in midfield sparked Forest’s first break into Hull territory. Zinckernagel then escaped on the right hand side of Hull box but the ball ran out of play.
Just before the ten minute mark, Allayhar Sayyadmanesh capitalised on a slip by Worrall before Figueiredo made a fine sliding tackle inside the Forest box to stop the Hull front man breaking clean through on Samba’s goal.
A promising spell of Forest possession around the Hull box resulted in Garner nearly releasing Cafu on goal as The Reds looked for the opening goal.
After 20 minutes, Mighten hit the byline on the right but his cross couldn’t locate a red shirt and then Zinckernagel’s shot just inside the box was blocked.
Mighten’s pace was causing the hosts problems and he escaped down the left midway through the half but his cross was cleared. Garner then fired a dangerous free kick into the Hull box but Panzo and Worrall were unable to connect.
After 25 minutes, Allahyar nearly capitalised on hesitation between Figueiredo and Samba but the ball drifted wide of the post after the players collided and the Hull forward was left injured on the turf.
On the half hour, The Reds forced three successive corners, the third of which from Garner passed dangerously across the Hull box before Lolley then curled a right-footed shot just wide.
Hull responded with a corner of their own but Samba claimed the flag kick and immediately released Mighten with a long kick. The forward brilliantly controlled the ball but was tackled by George Honeyman just as he was about to burst through on goal.
After 37 minutes, Forest again threatened to break through on goal, this time Lolley won the ball deep in Forest territory and quickly released Zinckernagel but Jacob Greaves made a last-ditch interception on the edge of the Hull box.
Three minutes before the break, The Reds created the best chance of the half when Lolley reached the left byline and intelligently pulled the ball back for Mighten, but his shot from six yards was blocked by Sean McLoughlin as the first period ended goalless.
HALF-TIME: Hull City 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Shota Arveladze made a change at the break as Lewis Coyle replaced Ryan Longman.
Forest, in their traditional red and white kit, were attacking the end housing over 3,500 supporters in the second half and a good turn early on by Alex Mighten gave Joe Lolley a crossing opportunity but it was deflected into the arms of Hull keeper Nathan Baxter.
Five minutes into the second half, Xande Silva mishit a shot when well placed but Forest retained possession and Philip Zinckernagel’s cross from the right was flicked just wide at the near post by the former West Ham man.
Forest had started the second half pinning Hull back but, just before the hour, Callum Elder’s dangerous cross only just evaded Allahyar Sayyadmanesh as the hosts counter attacked.
Referee Simon Hooper made his first and only booking of the match on 63 minutes when Tobias Figueiredo fouled Allahyar as he looked to break in The Reds half.
Steve Cooper made his first substitutions midway through the half as Brennan Johnson and Sam Surridge replaced Jonathan Panzo and Xande Silva, with Forest reverting to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Zinckernagel volleyed wide from the edge of the box and then Allahyar shot tamely at Brice Samba as both sides traded attacks looking to force the opening goal.
Richie Laryea then cut inside on the right byline but his cross drifted harmlessly wide, before Hull substitute Coyle forced a corner at the other end.
Johnson showed his pace to beat Jacob Greaves down the right but, after cutting back inside, he skewed his shot wide of the near post.
With fifteen minutes left Forest came close to scoring when Zinckernagel released Johnson and his low cross from the right was parried by Baxter into the body of Surridge, with the keeper then blocking the Reds forward’s follow up shot.
It was then Hull’s turn to create an opening, as Keane Lewis-Potter headed over from Allahyar’s cross.
Both coaches made their final changes of the afternoon on 77 minutes, with Djed Spence replaced Richie Laryea for Forest and Tom Huddlestone and Tom Eaves replacing Richard Smallwood and Allahyar for the hosts.
Surridge’s header was then claimed comfortably by Baker from Lolley’s cross, before Cafu shot wide. Substitute Eaves headed wide for The Tigers as both teams looked to win the game.
Lolley forced a corner with five minutes left but Hull immediately responded with Eaves breaking free deep in Reds territory before Spence held him up and the hosts eventually forced a corner of their own.
Substitute Huddlestone then released Lewis-Potter through on goal for the hosts best chance of the afternoon, but the Hull man blazed over.
Forest immediately responded with Surridge crossing for Mighten whose effort from close range was smothered by Baxter.
The Reds were committing men forward to win the game as four minutes of injury time were signalled and the match then took a dramatic turn.
First, in the second minute of stoppage time, Forest won a penalty when Sam Surridge stole the ball from Huddlestone who brought the Reds forward down.
Brennan Johnson sent Nathan Baxter the wrong way from the spot for his 17th goal of the season to the delight of the massive travelling Forest support.
However, just as dramatically, Hull equalised immediately from the kick off when Lewie Coyle’s cross from the right evaded everyone and found the far corner amid Lewis-Potter's presence.
With Huddersfield beating Bristol City at home, the draw meant that Forest finished fourth in the Championship, their highest place finish since 2010.
Other results elsewhere meant that Forest’s semi-final opponents will be Sheffield United. The first leg will be next Saturday, 14th May at 3pm at Bramall Lane, with the second leg at The City Ground on Tuesday 17th May, kick-off 7.45pm.
FULL-TIME: Hull City 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Hull City (3-4-2-1): Nathan Baxter; Alfie Jones, Sean McLoughlin, Jacob Greaves; Ryan Longman (Lewie Coyle, 46’), Regan Slater, Richard Smallwood (c) (Tom Huddlestone 77’), Callum Elder; Ryan Honeyman, Keane Lewis-Potter; Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Tom Eaves 77’)
Substitutes not used: Harvey Cartwright, Greg Docherty, Brandon Fleming, Marcus Forss
Goals: Coyle (90+4’)
Nottingham Forest (3-4-1-2): Brice Samba; Joe Worrall (c), Tobias Figueiredo, Jonathan Panzo (Brennan Johnson 65’); Richie Laryea (Djed Spence 77), Cafu, James Garner, Joe Lolley; Philip Zinckernagel; Alex Mighten, Xande Silva (Sam Surridge 65’)
Substitutes not used: Ethan Horvath (gk), Loic Mbe Soh, Braian Ojeda, Scott McKenna
Bookings: Figueiredo (63’)
Goals: Johnson (p) (90+2)
Referee: Simon Hooper
Attendance: 18,349 including 3,433 Forest supporters
Possession: 39-61
Shots: 7-14
On target: 3-4
Corners: 6-4