NOTTINGHAM Forest produced a vastly improved performance at Portman Road but saw Daryl Murphy secure a point for promotion rivals Ipswich.
Murphy's 78th minute header finally broke the Reds' resolve, on an afternoon when Gary Brazil's injury hit squad almost ended their run of games without a win, which now stretches to ten.
Danny Collins' fourth minute header had given Forest a dream start, with the caretaker boss having seemingly managed to install some confidence in his players.
And Karl Darlow made a string of ever more impressive saves as Mick McCarthy's side piled on the pressure in the second half.
But Forest were more than deserving of a point, after producing one of their best performances in many weeks.
It was a bold team selection from Brazil, who turned to a few younger players to fill the void left by yet more injury problems.
Ben Osborn was handed his senior debut in a midfield diamond that also included new loan signing Lee Peltier, with Jonathan Greening sat at the base of it and Radi Majewski at the head.
Jamie Mackie and Jamie Paterson formed a new look front two for the Reds – who made a flying start.
Osborn and Danny Fox combined down the left to force a corner – and it led to the game's opening goal. Fox delivered an inch perfect cross to the far post and former Ipswich man Collins rose to plant a simple, but hugely accurate, header into the corner of the net to give the visitors the lead after only four minutes.
Paul Anderson, the former Forest player, struck a half volley that did not have enough bend on it to prevent it from flying the wrong side of the upright, as Ipswich looked for an immediate response.
Jonny Williams then glanced a header wide, as the home side pushed again. But Collins also forced a smart save from Dean Gerken with an improvised volley, after Ipswich had failed to clear a Fox free kick, delivered into the box with pace.
Paterson had already had the Ipswich defence backing off with one mazy run. And, when he produced another, carrying the ball across the face of the box, it carved out the room for him to pull the trigger, with his shot flashing a foot wide, with the aid of a deflection.
Osborn was looking composed, given that it was his senior debut and used the ball efficiently and calmly. But it was another midfielder, Majewski, who was next to threaten, with the Pole seeing a driven shot charged down as Forest launched another promising attack.
Halford was booked for a robust block on Anderson, as he looked to progress into the box and, a few minutes later, the dazed winger had to be replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
Forest almost doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, following clever play from Paterson, who slid in Mackie. But Gerken was impressively quick off his line to charge down the striker's shot.
It was Forest who were in charge, as the first half developed. But Stephen Hunt did send a dipping shot narrowly over the bar, as Karl Darlow looked on.
The second half began with Jara collecting a yellow card for dissent after kicking the ball away after conceding a free kick.
And, when Aaron Cresswell fired in a cross from the left, the Ipswich fans were on their feet as Ebanks-Blake connected powerfully with a header. But Darlow somehow reacted to make a truly outstanding save, plunging to his left to push the ball away.
Darlow had been performing with confidence in goal for Forest but, he will have been relieved to see Tommy Smith head over the bar after he raced off his line to punch, but failed to make contact with the ball.
The keeper was rather more assured when dealing with a driven half-volley from Cole Skuse, which moved dangerously in the air, before Darlow clutched it well, diving to his left.
Forest were having to defend with increasing determination, as the home side began to commit more men forward, in search of an equaliser.
While Darlow made another breath-taking save, this time leaping high to his right to push away a crisp shot from Williams that seemed bound for the top corner of the net.
When Fox conceded a free kick 20 yards out, it gave Ipswich the chance to test Darlow again. But, while Cresswell's shot was bent successfully around the defensive wall, it lacked the power to trouble the keeper, who made a comfortable save.
The keeper could do little when the Ipswich pressure finally told in the 78th minute, however, as the home side powered themselves level in emphatic fashion, with Murphy driving home a Nouble cross with a thumping header that gave Darlow no chance.
Paterson's driven cross-shot seemed to take a clear deflection off Chambers, but referee Andrew Madley, who seemed to be swayed by the partisan home fans in much of his decision making, awarded a goal kick.
Sub Matt Derbyshire almost made a dream impact on the game, but saw his flicked header, from a Fox corner, bounce just the wrong side of the post.
But Darlow still had to make another big save, this time to deny Nouble, to ensure that Forest did not return home empty handed.
Ipswich: Gerken, Cresswell, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Murphy, Anderson (Ebanks-Blake 35), Hunt (Nouble 45), Hyam, Williams (Green 85). Subs: Loach, Mings, Tabb, Richardson.
Forest: Darlow, Jara, Halford, Collins, Fox, Greening, Peltier, Osborn, Majewski (Derbyshire 86), Paterson, Mackie. Subs: de Vries, Harding, Tudgay, Derbyshire, McLaughlin, Cox, Blake.
Referee: Andrew Madley
