Alex McLeish impressed with battling Nottingham Forest

New Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish has praised his side's fighting spirit as they scored late to earn a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Billy Sharp scored deep in stoppage time at the City Ground as McLeish took charge of the Championship club for the first time following his appointment on Friday.

"I thought there was a lot of fighting spirit among the players," the Scot told Sky Sports News. "To their credit they went all the way to the final whistle.

"They could easily have put their heads down after Palace had taken the lead again in the last 10 minutes but they fought right to the death and that shows great character."

Saturday's point has lifted Forest up to sixth place in the table.