Match Report: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leicester

Dedicated Danns: The former Crystal Palace
put in a stand-out performance for the Foxes'.

Local rivals Nottingham Forest and Leicester City face an F.A Cup third round reply after an exciting 90 minutes at the City Ground yielded a goalless draw.

The opening stages of the game were of two great contrasts: prior to kick-off Leicester's huge following engaged in the Poznan celebration dance, with 8,000 fans creating a truly spectacular spectacle. However, minutes into the game, Foxes' striker Jeffrey Schlupp was forced off the pitch with what appeared to be a nasty knee injury, after landing awkwardly on his right leg after challenging for a header just outside of the centre circle in his own half.

Despite the eventual scoreline, the match was one that threatened to be a goal filled classic throughout, with Forest taking advantage of a shakey Leicester defence from the first whistle; close range strikes efforts from Lewis McGugan and Andy Reid aswell as headed attempts from Marcus Tudgay and Joel Lynch forced a number of world class saves from the Foxes' shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel. The balance in power soon shifted however, with the away team well and truly finding their feet and causing headaches for Forest's organised back four. David Nugent without doubt squandered the best chance of the half, after a pounding a header against the crossbar of Lee Camp's goalmouth, after an accurate cross found the former England International's head. Nugent would then again lay waste to another effort on goal, after his chipped effort on the cusp of half time broke just wide of the post.

Leicester started the second half as they ended the first, by instantaneously dominating the home team in terms of possession and attempts on goal, as the 8,000 strong travelling support bombarded the City Ground with verbal support to the team in Blue. Matt Mills   was unlucky to see his trademark headed bullet saved by Forest keeper Camp, before Paul Gallagher shot wide of the mark from acres of space just outside of the 6 yard box. Leicester continued to push their opponents throughout the half, with the joint introduction of Ritchie Wellens and Lloyd Dyer on 60 minutes being fruitful in terms of creating chances. Dyer would go on to sum up the afternoon for Pearson's men, after missing what can only be described as an open goal from well within the confines of the 6 yard box, after Nugent's header forced Lee Camp into a Parried save, setting up the former MK Don's man.  Foxes' striker Jermaine Beckford had little input in the game since his introduction on the back off Schlupp's injury induced departure, to ensure that his run of poor form in a City shirt continues.

It goes without saying that a draw in the grand scheme of things is a bad result for both sides. With a jam-packed Championship campaign ahead for both both rival sides, any extra,potentially avoidable FA Cup action is not desired. Many may have been surprised in the original fixture in fact, with the decision by both the opposing managers Nigel Pearson and Steve Cotterill to field such strong sides, with names such as Nugent, King, Mills for Leicester and McGugan, Tudgay and Gunter for Forest, all included in the starting XI's.

Not to be completely down heart from the clash at the City Ground, City can take great pleasure in witnessing Neil Danns and Aleksandar Tunchev both put on stellar performances throughout the 90 minutes, with Danns consistently terrorising the Forest defensive lines and Tunchev ensuring Leicester's remained largely unbreached.  At the final whistle however, neither of these two stand out players could help push City into a lead, meaning that Leicester City will face Nottingham Forest at Home on the 18th of January in an FA Cup third round replay.