Steve Elliott's strike all but brought an end to Nottingham Forest's hopes of automatic promotion as Bristol Rovers came away with a 1-1 draw.The Rovers man superbly headed home a 63rd-minute free-kick from skipper Stuart Campbell to earn the visitors a deserved point.

They had fallen behind to a 33rd-minute free-kick by Lewis McGugan, whose 30-yard effort flew wide of keeper Steve Phillips and into the top corner.

The breakthrough came against the run of play with Rovers, still searching for points to ensure their safety, having the best chances with Lewis Haldane and leading scorer Rickie Lambert both going close in the first 20 minutes.

But McGugan's spectacular effort took the sting out of Rovers until midway through the second half and after Elliott's equaliser, substitute Andy Williams fired just wide from a cross by David Pipe.

Forest had a chance to clinch victory in the first minute of added time but the normally reliable Kris Commons shot over from 12 yards. The point edges Rovers ever-nearer survival but leaves Forest facing a battle to get into the Championship via the play-offs.

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