NOTTINGHAM FOREST'S financial future might be dependent on a prospective new chairman who made his millions in the transport shakeup, but it will take quite a turn around to prevent their next journey becoming a reluctant one, back into the First Division.

Forest led at half time through Stuart Pearce's penalty, but they remained bottom despite a goal in injury time from defender Colin Cooper that gave Frank Clark's team a draw with Blackburn at the City Ground. The visitors scored twice early in the second half through Kevin Gallacher and Jason Wilcox.

There was a further development on a Forest takeover yesterday with the board's recommendation of a £13 million offer led by a long standing fan.

Sandy Anderson, a former Partick Thistle footballer, amassed financial rewards of £37 million in seven months during the privatisation of the transport industry, selling the Derbyshire train leasing company, Porterbrook, to Stagecoach for £475 million.

That, though, was off the pitch. Forest's priority was points and Stuart Pearce had marked his 500th League game by declaring Forest would not endure a second relegation in four years.

A juddering early tackle against Gary Flitcroft was enough to dissuade anybody from open disagreement and his penalty, in first half stoppage time, even made his worst credible. Chris Allen was clumsily brought down by Jeff Kenna on the right of Blackburn's defence and Pearce rammed in the penalty with an expression that could turn an entire crowd to stone.

Pearce has been a wondrously inspirational figure, but his wreckless tackle on Gallacher tight by the touchline was a frightening miscalculation. Tim Sherwood raced 10 yards and seemed to throw a punch. A less lenient referee than Paul Alcock would have dismissed both players, but he settled for two yellow cards.

Forest's toil was evident but Blackburn, in flashes, possessed the greater finesse and 12 minutes into the second half they were in front. Gallacher equalised with an instant finish from 10 yards after Graeme Le Saux's flick with the outside of his left foot had completed an intricate movement.

Then before Forest could steady themselves Wilcox scored at the far post after Mark Crossley had pushed Gallacher's rasping shot into his path.

Colin Hendry made an amazing clearing header shortly before the end after Alf Inge Haaland's downward header had hit the bar.