Matt Mills scored 15 minutes from time to earn a point for Bolton Wanderers against high-flying Nottingham Forest in the Championship.

Billy Davies's side started brightly and almost took the lead in the opening minutes when Andy Reid found makeshift striker Greg Halford, but his shot was saved by Andy Lonergan.

Dougie Freedman was forced to alter his forward line when Jermaine Beckford came off with an injury way through the first period.

His other striker, David N'gog, enjoyed better luck as he latched onto Alex Baptiste's cross, but saw his subsequent effort blocked.

Halford came close to breaking the deadlock minutes before the break when he met Djamel Abdoun's cross only to see his header fly over the bar.

It was left to last weekend's FA Cup hat-trick hero to find a way through the Trotters' rearguard when he was played in by Simon Cox and his low shot found the back of the Wanderers net.

Minutes later, Jamaal Lascelles came close getting a vital second goal for the visitors as he connected with Henri Lansbury's ball only to drag his shot wide.

However, with 15 minutes left, it was Mills who popped to beat Karl Darlow after meeting Andre Moritz's pinpoint cross.

The result means Forest are unable to close on local rivals Derby County in fourth place, while Bolton are now seven points from the Championship relegation places.