Elliot Anderson’s late equalizer haunted his former club at the City Ground, cancelling out Harvey Barnes’ clinical strike to leave Eddie Howe’s side frustrated by a missed opportunity.
Newcastle United were denied victory late on as Nottingham Forest rescued a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
Harvey Barnes looked to have earned Eddie Howe’s side all three points when he opened the scoring in the 74th minute, but former Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson equalised in the 88th minute to leave the Magpies frustrated.
Newcastle arrived looking to build on their recent win over Brighton, and Howe’s side had to manage a competitive opening period. Forest carried threat in moments, with Anderson involved against his former club, while Newcastle looked to get William Osula and Nick Woltemade into the game.
The first half was tight rather than open. Sandro Tonali sent an effort off target from distance, while Anderson also fired wide for Forest before Nick Pope was called into action to deny Jair Cunha.
Newcastle were not at their most fluent before the break, but they stayed organised and reached half-time level. Forest had spells of pressure, but Howe’s side limited the number of clear chances and kept themselves in position to grow into the match.
The second half followed a similar pattern for long periods. Newcastle searched for more attacking rhythm, while Forest pushed for the goal that would move them closer to safety.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute. Barnes found the net to put Newcastle ahead, giving the Magpies a valuable platform to control the closing stages and leave the City Ground with an away win.
At that point, Newcastle looked set to see the job through. Howe’s side had done the difficult part by finding the opener in a tight game, and Forest were forced to chase.
But the hosts struck late. Anderson, who left Newcastle for Forest, made it 1-1 in the 88th minute to deny his former club victory. It was a painful moment for the Magpies, who were only minutes away from taking all three points.
There was little time for Newcastle to respond, and the points were shared.
For Newcastle, the frustration will be obvious. They had not produced a dominant performance, but they had put themselves in a winning position away from home and came close to seeing it out.
Instead, Howe’s side leave Nottingham with one point and the feeling of an opportunity missed. The result keeps Newcastle in mid-table, but the manner of the late equaliser will sting more than the result itself.