Nottingham Forest Women began life under new head coach Tom Mallinson with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on Sunday.

After a turbulent last season across all levels of the club, there were three managerial changes over the summer, with the Women, Men and B Team all seeing a change in the dugout.

Given the change and, at times, chaos across the club, the Women’s opener away to Ipswich provided a much-needed sense of calm.

But that tranquillity did not begin at the Jobserve Community Stadium, it was the product of a demanding yet successful pre-season, where Forest remained unbeaten, including a training camp in Canada.

Forest conceded just two goals throughout pre-season, and that same defensive stability was on show in Forest’s curtain-raiser at Ipswich.

Despite Ipswich being on top and enjoying the bulk of possession in the opening exchanges, they were unable to do anything of note with it, which was a credit to Forest’s shape and defensive actions.

Forest were not on the back foot for long, and quickly established dominance on the game, as they sought to carve out chances of their own.

They enjoyed much more joy in doing so than the hosts, and came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 13th minute.

Cerys Brown, who joined permanently this summer after being loaned from London City Lionesses last season, broke down the right-hand side and forced a corner from her cross.

Fellow new signing Abbie Lafayette delivered it to the back post, where Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah headed it goalward, but her attempt was cleared off the goal-line.

Lafayette carved out a chance of her own a short while later after she broke into the box, and into a shooting position, courtesy of her excellent footwork, but her curling effort was met by a strong diving save to deny her.

Forest alarm bells sounded for the first time just minutes before halftime, when an Ipswich free-kick was played onto Jenna Dear who looked certain to poke home from point-blank range.

But goalkeeper Emily Batty rose to the occasion, putting her body on the line to get to the ball first to deny Ipswich of a clear-cut chance.

In doing so she took a heavy hit to the head, but she was able to continue, with Forest still level thanks to her heroics.

Forest continued the second half on the front foot as they searched for an opener, signified by Rachel Rowe’s ambitious effort from outside the box in the 48th minute, which forced a strong save.

But Forest’s pressure was unwavering, and eventually the Ipswich defence was compromised when Alana Murphy was afforded too much time and space to get a shot off, after excellent interplay between herself and Brown.

It looked like a routine save for Lysianne Proulx, but the three-time Canadian international spilt the effort between her hands as it sailed into the net.

Forest continued to dictate the game, but were unable to forge further ahead as Ipswich refused to go down without a fight.

The hosts defended relentlessly to keep Forest at bay, and keep at least one foot in the game, but their efforts to get on level terms looked like they were going to prove futile.

That was until an audacious effort from Megan Hornby curled into the far corner deep into added time to drag Ipswich level.

It was Ipswich’s only shot on target, compared to Forest’s five, but it was a decisive one, although one Forest can have few complaints about.

A spectacular effort which more than merited a goal, not that it will feel any less painful for Forest to lose so late on, especially after such a strong performance.

Forest return to the City Ground next Sunday, where they will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Watford.