Nottingham Forest's hopes of claiming an automatic promotion spot all but disappeared after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Brighton.And the point that Brighton worked so hard to achieve at the City Ground on Monday could yet see them join Forest in the League One play-offs.

Forest enjoyed the bulk of the pressure but found it hard to find a way through and when they did, goalkeeper Michel Kuipers produced some inspired saves.

His best came in the 10th minute when Kris Commons weaved his way past three Brighton challenges and looked a certain scorer until Kuipers turned his effort aside.

Nathan Tyson went close with a header and young Matt Thornhill should have made more of another gilt-edged chance from only three yards early in the second half. And although they were content to absorb Forest pressure for the most part, Brighton were not without openings themselves.

Leading scorer Nicky Forster missed an open goal in the fourth minute after Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith had parried Dean Cox's effort and just before the break defender Tommy Elphick saw a header turned onto the crossbar.

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