Forest were unable to make the most of the opportunities they created as Steve Cooper’s side were held to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday night.
The Head Coach made three changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Brentford last time out, with Chris Wood replacing the injured Taiwo Awoniyi in attack, and Harry Toffolo and Morgan Gibbs-White starting having impressed from the bench against the Bees.
It was Toffolo who had Forest’s first real sight of goal in the first half, with the left-back striking a ferocious effort at goal from distance which had to be tipped behind for a corner by Sam Johnstone.
Forest continued to assert their dominance on the game from there on in, and were inches away from breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes.
Murillo received the ball on halfway before picking out the run of Gibbs-White in-behind the Palace defence with an excellent diagonal pass. The midfielder, on the volley, lofted the ball over Johnstone and off the post.
Palace grew into the contest following that wake-up call, with Jeserun Rak-Sakyi seeing a close-range effort well blocked by Toffolo five minutes before the break.
But Murillo then came close to helping Forest make a breakthrough once again deep into first-half added time.
The Brazilian received the ball inside the Palace half before embarking on an excellent solo run into the area before seeing two attempts well saved by Johnstone.
HALF-TIME: Palace 0-0 Forest
Forest made an enforced change at the break as Serge Aurier made way for Gonzalo Montiel at right-back.
The Reds’ first clear-cut chance of the second half came on the hour when Nico Domínguez played in Toffolo who floated a cross towards the far post where Montiel struck a half-volley wide for a corner via a deflection.
But Palace then came close as Odsonne Edouard slipped in Jean-Phillipe Mateta who fired wide from a dangerous position.
Looking to regain his side’s dominance, Cooper introduced Anthony Elanga, Ryan Yates and Divock Origi who replaced Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ibrahim Sangaré and Chris Wood respectively with 20 minutes remaining.
On 78 minutes, Forest came close again through Montiel whose scissor-kick volley was superbly put over the crossbar by Joachim Andersen.
Cheikhou Kouyaté replaced Orel Mangala with seven minutes remaining, before Gibbs-White and Domínguez combined well to free the latter who cut inside and saw a curling effort tipped around the post by Johnstone from the edge of the area.
Forest continued to knock on the door deep into added time as Yates’ reverse ball was touched along by Elanga but Origi was unable to pounce ahead of Johnstone who claimed.
The final whistle blew after five minutes of additional time, with Forest signing off for the international break with a point in the capital.
FULL-TIME: Palace 0-0 Forest