NOTTINGHAM Forest moved even nearer to the Premiership relegation trap door despite earning a point from the east midlands derby at the Baseball Ground.

Forest playermanager Stuart Pearce felt his side needed to win their last three matches to have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop.

But the City Ground outfit were indebted to goalkeeper Alan Fettis for earning them even a share of the spoils which keeps their slim hopes alive.

Fettis, replacing the injured Mark Crossley, was much the busier of the two goalkeepers and pulled off several important saves.

Plays was often scrappy and Derby, relatively free of the threat of being sucked into trouble, dominated territorially until Forest rallied in the closing stages.

Jim Smith's side had the better of the midfield play with skipper Robbie Van Der Laan in fine form.

Forest made little impact as an attacking force and £4.5 million record signing Pierre Van Hooijdonk was well policed by Christian Dailly.

Derby were easily the better side in the opening 45 minutes and they almost went ahead in the fourth minute after a blunder by Forest defender Vance Warner.

He was dispossessed on the edge of the area by Dean Sturridge who fired in a left footed shot which was beaten out by Fettis.

Derby continued to look the more menacing in the second half and Forest were indebted on three occasions in quick succession to Fettis.

Fettis became increasingly called into action but then Forest staged a late attempt to snatch the points and Van Hooijdonk rode through two challenges but then shot weakly at Martin Taylor.