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Shotton's goal ensured that Derby claimed a point in the East Midlands derby

Championship leaders Nottingham Forest lost their 100% home record this season as Ryan Shotton's goal gave Derby a draw at the City Ground.

Forest looked to be on course for the win after Britt Assombalonga's shot on the turn gave them a 72nd-minute lead.

But Derby levelled when Shotton's poked shot appeared to cross the line before Leon Best followed up to make sure.

Derby were reduced to 10 men when Jake Buxton was sent off but Forest were unable to capitalise with a winner.

This was a much more even East Midlands derby than the last time these two met when Derby humiliated their fierce rivals 5-0 at the iPro Stadium in March.

East Midlands pair in fine form Table-toppers Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their eight games this season in all competitions, winning six of them. Derby have lost only one of their seven games this season in all competitions and are 10th in the table.

Back then, Derby were pushing for promotion to the Premier League under Steve McClaren (a quest that ultimately ended in failure at the play-off final), while Forest had not won in six matches and sacked manager Billy Davies soon after their humiliation.

This time around, Forest came into the game unbeaten after six league matches under Stuart Pearce and top of the table, and their restored confidence showed in the way they attempted to take the game to their rivals.

However, Derby are the toughest test Forest have faced this season and they were restricted to just a couple of set-piece attempts on goal in the first half, both of which Andy Reid struck into the wall, and a Robert Tesche long-range shot that flew past the post.

It is a testimony to what Pearce is building at the City Ground that Forest continued their patient, positive approach after the break and they were rewarded when Michail Antonio found Assombalonga in the box and the striker turned his marker before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Fans of both team's gave a minute's applause for the late Forest and Derby boss Brian Clough

However, Derby did not panic and equalised when Richard Keogh planted a header against the bar from a free-kick and Shotton's swinging leg poked the ball just over the line.

Karl Darlow scrambled the ball out but substitute Best made any possible doubt academic by hammering the ball in from close range.

As is seemingly obligatory in this fixture, there was a sending off as Buxton received a second yellow in the 86th minute to go with the first he picked up early in the second half.

However, despite over eight minutes of added time - the majority of which came as a result of a fan invading the pitch - Forest were unable to find a winner.

Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce: "I think a draw was a fair result as I didn't think we did enough to win it.

"I was a little disappointed with the quality of the football, from both teams really.

"It was a scrappy derby, but the atmosphere before the game was outstanding, probably as good as I have ever known it in this stadium and that includes being a player.

"I think the occasion maybe got to one or two. It was two points lost after being in front."

Derby head coach Steve McClaren: "It was hectic and frantic, a typical local derby, but I thought in the first half that everybody cancelled each other out.

"But the second half was completely different, it had everything. I thought we took control, then we had that disruption and their goal came from nowhere.

"We opened the game up, took a risk and got the equaliser and I thought we would go on to win it."