Boss Chris Hughton rued a missed opportunity, as he admitted Nottingham Forest needed “to do more” against Birmingham City.
A drab affair finished 0-0 at the City Ground as neither side offered enough attacking quality to forge a breakthrough.
The Reds had the better of the first half, but still created relatively few chances - the best one falling to Ryan Yates as he forced a decent save with a volley from inside the box.
It was the Blues who had the edge after the break, though, with Brice Samba twice thwarting Ivan Sanchez.
“I think the missed opportunity is that we were playing at home, and we were off the back of two good results,” Hughton said.
“We went into the game in a confident way.
“When you’re on the back of some defeats, like they were, you could tell they were determined. They pressed well and were determined not to concede.
“These are difficult games. You need that moment for a breakthrough, and we probably didn’t do enough to get it.
“We wanted more (points). In terms of results, you only know after a period of time whether it’s a good result or not.
“I’m pleased with the fact we kept a clean-sheet, because that’s important - against a team on the back of a few poor results, who came here determined not to get beat.
“I just think we needed to show more; to create opportunities to allow us to win the game.
“Our two best chances came through Ryan Yates and Toby (Tobias Figueiredo).
“There were aspects I wasn’t too happy with. We needed to be better, to win it.”
A point made it three unbeaten for Forest, following a win over Sheffield Wednesday and a draw at Millwall.
For their opponents, managed by ex-Reds chief Aitor Karanka, it ended a three-match losing streak.
Hughton had made positive changes in the second half in a bid to force a winner, bringing on Anthony Knockaert, Lyle Taylor and Joe Lolley.
It was to no avail, however, as Figueiredo’s last-minute effort, which was saved by Neil Etheridge, was as close as they came.
“It wasn’t a lack of a will to win. I just think we needed to show more to be able to do that,” Hughton said.
“We didn’t start as well as I would have liked.
“There was a lot of energy at the end, but you’re also a little bit fearful - when we’re pushing to get the winner - that they might go up the other end.
“I’m pleased with some aspects, but we needed to do more to win the game.”
