Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 at bottom club Burton Albion in the Championship yesterday to end a run of three straight defeats in the league.
Given the lowly position of the opposition it seemed like an afternoon where the Reds simply needed to win but a red card for defender Eric Lichaj in the 28th minute made for a nervy final hour.
It hasn't been a great start for Forest boss Aitor Karanka and Forest desperately need wins to avoid becoming embroiled in another relegation scrap.
The Spanish boss has signed 10 new recruits however and he will be pleased that the side kept a clean sheet yesterday given that he chose to start several of his new signings at the Pirelli Stadium.
Karanka must now prepare his team for a massive game against Reading at the City Ground on Tuesday evening, but he was reasonably satisfied with the point taken from the short trip along the A38 against the Brewers.
Speaking to the club's official website after the contest, the Forest manager said: "We knew it was going to be a battle. I told the players that we had to fight like they would, and with ten men we were the ones fighting more.
"I am proud of my players today, they were amazing. The players, the team and the supporters needed a performance like that today."
Following yesterday's draw, Forest are eight points clear of Barnsley who are currently inside the bottom three and face a key few weeks in their battle to pull further clear of the relegation zone.
The Verdict
Aitor Karanka is a man who speaks with great humility and integrity and Forest fans must not mistake what he means when he said he was 'proud' of yesterday's performance.
Clearly drawing 0-0 with bottom of the league is nothing to write home about but after being reduced to 10 so early in the game, the Forest side of recent weeks could have thrown the towel in and capitulated.
Forest must take small steps given the amount of new players who arrived in January but this performance will give the manager, and the players, a lot of heart for future weeks.
Nottingham Forest fans, what do you make to Karanka's quotes? Let us know in the comments below!!!