Chris Hughton’s first home game in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in a 1-1 draw against Rotherham United, as his team were forced to come from behind.
After a scrappy first half, the Millers took the lead early in the second period when Cyrus Christie was judged to have fouled Billy Jones in the box.
Daniel Barlaser stepped up to fire the resulting spot-kick beyond Brice Samba, to give the visitors the lead.
Hughton’s men did mount a response and hit the woodwork through Ryan Yates and Joe Lolley, before Sammy Ameobi equalised heading into the final 10 minutes.
They pressed hard for a winner, with Lewis Grabban missing a great chance late on, but had to settle for a point.
“Credit to Rotherham, they closed down all over the pitch and they are a high intensity team,” Hughton said.
“You’ve got to be a good team to play around them, or you’ve got to score early, which opens up the game a little bit more.
“I wanted a reaction in the second half, and I got that.
“We had enough chances to win two football matches. On a good day, we put them away, and on a difficult day, we don’t.
“It’s goals that change games. Sometimes you’ve got to go for it a little bit more.
“I do think it was a soft penalty. I’m not 100 percent sure that it was Cyrus who caught him. There was a lot going on there and it’s a big call to make from a little bit of a distance.
“Two of their players were involved.
“I think you’ve got to be 100 percent sure. I’m not - but I might be proved wrong.
“It makes the players look at it and know they’ve got to have a reaction.”
