Goals from Michail Antonio and Henri Lansbury have cancelled out Rudy Gestede's brace as Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest played out a 2-2 first half at Ewood Park.

The recalled Gestede gave Rovers the lead inside three minutes when he closed down Jack Hobbs's clearance before heading past Karl Darlow in the Forest goal.

Ben Marshall's cross nearly caught Darlow out after getting caught in the wind and the goalkeeper was forced to palm the ball onto the bar.

Antonio restored parity on seven minutes when he connected with a cross to nod past Blackburn keeper Simon Eastwood.

Antonio then turned provider for Lansbury, but the former Arsenal youngster's half-volley flashed just wide on 12 minutes.

Craig Conway's run saw room open up for a shot on 22 minutes, but the midfielder blazed high over the bar as Rovers pushed for the lead once again.

Antonio almost claimed his second of the afternoon when he got the better of Adam Henley, but Eastwood did well to scoop the ball off the line.

Gestede netted his second 10 minutes before the break when he powered home Conway's cross to go level with teammate Jordan Rhodes on 18 goals for the season.

However, the lead was short-lived as Lansbury levelled on the cusp of half time when he converted Antonio's cut-back.