Last updated on .From the section Championship

Northern Ireland international Paddy McNair netted his third goal of the season for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough frustrated promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest after grabbing a late point at the City Ground.

Forest went ahead just after the hour mark when midfielder Ryan Yates emphatically headed in Matty Cash's cross from six yards out.

Paddy McNair levelled for the visitors from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining after Jack Robinson tripped substitute Marvin Johnson.

Improving Boro, who have suffered just one defeat in six, are now four points above the relegation zone, while Forest remain fifth, with a two-point advantage over seventh-placed Sheffield Wednesday.

With Fulham and Bristol City both losing on Tuesday, victory would have taken Forest up to third in the Championship table but Sabri Lamouchi's side had to settle for a draw despite dominating possession.

The first half was a dour encounter, with the only real chance of note coming when Boro striker Ashley Fletcher headed straight at home keeper Brice Samba after being picked out by Hayden Coulson.

Sammy Ameobi called Boro goalkeeper Aynsley Pears into action with a fierce left-footed effort soon after the restart and Forest hit the bar when Yates struck a shot from the edge of the area down and into the ground before the ball bounced beyond the reach of Pears.

Yates' first senior goal at home for the Reds looked to have set the hosts on course for three points but McNair, who had earlier forced a good save from Samba, made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent his penalty high into the net.

The hosts had a chance to carve out an opportunity from a set-piece in injury time, but Joao Carvalho put his free-kick delivery from the left flank straight into the arms of Pears.

Forest's momentum has been checked in recent weeks, and one win in four games has left them 11 points adrift of the automatic promotion places before second-placed West Bromwich Albion travel to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi:

"We need more character, particularly when we play at home, because the game was in our hands. I am disappointed, because we controlled the game until the goal.

"When we went ahead, we dropped back 20 yards. Maybe we were afraid to win. But we must play for the second goal, to close off the game.

"If you do not achieve the second goal, do not give them an opportunity. We have a lot of regrets.

"We need to find a solution. We must keep going; we must be positive. I am upset, like the players - because we lost two points tonight."

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:

"I'm really pleased but I thought it was what we deserved really.

"The subs we made were really good and they made a difference. You win and lose on making decisions and today we got them right.

"I've got players who are willing to go that extra yard for each other and that showed.

"I'm really pleased with how the young players have stepped up."