Forest 1 Salisbury 1

Salisbury came within a whisker of dumping two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup.


Trailing at the break, Salisbury's Matt Tubbs levelled Nathan Tyson's first half effort before the non-leaguers spurned late chances.

Forest flew out of the blocks and should have been rewarded with a penalty inside the first ten minutes. Grant Holt was hauled down in the area by Tim Bond but referee Andy D'Urso waved away the Forest appeals.

But they did take the lead in the 27th minute when Tyson took advantage of some poor Salisbury defending to squeeze home the ball from close range following a corner.

Moments earlier goalkeeper Ryan Clarke had come to the rescue for Salisbury, saving a long range effort from defender John Curtis.

It was a different Salisbury that reappeared after the break, with Wayne Turk seeing his goalbound volley cleared off the line by a header from Nicky Southall.

The momentary scare saw Forest spring into life and the League One leaders created three gilt-edged chances inside three minutes.

On 53 minutes James Perch saw his effort brilliantly tipped around the post by Clarke, while Tyson saw his effort 60 seconds later saved by the Salisbury goalkeeper before being denied by a last-ditch tackle by Jon Bass when clean through on goal.

Promotion-chasing Conference South outfit Salisbury refused to lie down, with leading scorer Tubbs ramming the ball home for an all-important leveller on 61 minutes after a brave header from Matt Holmes.

Salisbury thought they had snatched an unlikely win in the 76th minute by Aaron Cook saw his stretching effort turned around the post by Rune Pederson.

Forest substitute Neil Harris missed a golden opportunity to win it for the visitors in the dying seconds but he fired straight at Clarke.




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