Billy Sharp denies Nottingham Forest victory

Billy Sharp's second-half penalty earned Leeds United a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in the Championship this evening.

Leeds came agonisingly close to taking the lead on 15 minutes as Alex Mowatt's deflected strike dropped inches wide of the far post.

A minute later, Karl Darlow made a fine reaction save to deny Mirco Antenucci, before Alex Pearce blazed the rebound over the bar from close range.

Forest celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee's flag in the 22nd minute. However, replays showed that Fryatt was onside when he turned home Michail Antonio's cross-cum-shot.

Dexter Blackstock was then handed the chance to put his side ahead, but the forward headed straight at Marco Silvestri and was soon limping from the field after a collision with Pearce.

Fryatt did manage to put Forest in front in the 45th minute with a poacher's finish from no more than two yards out, as he latched into Michael Mancienne's near-post flick on.

The hosts were only level for eight minutes, though, as Sharp lashed home a penalty after Sam Byram's mazy dribble was halted illegally by Daniel Fox.

Forest then had a series of chances, but Jack Hunt fired a weak volley at Sivestri before Antonio's fizzing drive was pushed away by the Italian stopper.

Frustrations grew further when the officials incorrectly denied Fryatt another goal for offside.

Darlow had to dive low to his right to keep out Sharp's well-struck volley and then Souleymane Doukara's powerful effort, while Silvestri denied Robert Tesche and Henri Lansbury at the other end as neither side were able to find a winner.