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Joe Worrall (right) had a goal disallowed for Forest in the first half

Nottingham Forest missed the chance to move up to third in the Championship as their former boss Mark Warburton steered QPR to a battling draw at a blustery City Ground.

Forest dominated the first half and thought they had taken the lead, only for Joe Worrall's fine header to be controversially ruled out because Joe Lolley's corner was deemed to have been delivered from outside the quadrant.

Rangers, who go 15th thanks to a third game without defeat, improved after the interval with playmaker Ebere Eze continuing to be their standout player, but they could only fashion half-chances.

The Reds remained the more ambitious and dangerous.

Joe Lolley sent a header just past the post in time added on, but Forest only mustered two efforts on target from a drab game played in front of a packed crowd.

Victory for Leeds over Reading means Forest remain fifth and are now six points adrift of second place, but Bristol City's 3-0 defeat against leaders West Bromwich Albion does strengthen their play-off chances, with the Robins now three behind in seventh.

Sabri Lamouchi's side were the more impressive throughout but have now gone three games without a win.

They continued to pose the greater threat after their fury at seeing Worrall's effort ruled out began to subside. Tiago Silva was scheming in midfield, with the typically dangerous Lolley shooting wide and Sammy Ameobi and Lewis Grabban also going close.

QPR offered precious little in attack, although Eze still stood out on the rare occasions the visitors ventured forward. He was involved in their only decent first-half attack when he combined with Jordan Hugill to set up Marc Pugh, whose dangerous low cross was cut out with Hugill lurking for a tap-in.

Ryan Manning had a decent shot blocked for the visitors soon after the resumption, while Grabban headed narrowly wide for Forest, who also saw Angel Rangel and Dominic Ball make vital clearances after a goalmouth melee.

Lolley so nearly snatched victory in the last of five added minutes, but Forest's best attacking player headed narrowly wide.

Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi:

"We missed an opportunity and it is not the first time, but I hope it will be the last time.

"We created some chances but, unfortunately, it was not enough. We missed the last touch, the last pass, the last piece of the jigsaw.

"My players were very down, but I told them that, when I need to complain about them, I will complain, but today I cannot.

"If the Worrall goal had stood, the situation would have been different. Sometimes decisions go for you, sometimes against you - but rules are rules."

QPR manager Mark Warburton:

"Obviously it means a bit more. When you have managed a great club like Forest you want your team to come here and do well, it is as simple as that.

"They would have fancied moving up the table if they could pick up three points today, because of the other results, but we did a good job against them.

"You see Barnsley win at Fulham and few people are surprised by these results. That is this division. You have to stand up and produce your best, because if you don't you will get hurt, regardless of the opposition."