BILLY Davies today praised the courage and character of his Nottingham Forest side, after seeing them fight back from behind twice to preserve their unbeaten start since he returned as manager.
The Reds were denied a club record equalling seventh straight win by promotion rivals Brighton – but did manage to secure a 2-2 draw thanks to an injury time strike from Henri Lansbury.
Davies felt it was important to retain their eight-match unbeaten record, particularly against one of their immediate rivals in the race for a top six finish.
And he was particularly impressed with the determination shown by his players amid a performance that also saw Lewis McGugan come off the bench to score for a fourth game running.
"This team never gives in and there is great credit to every one of them for their attitude, commitment and application. They drove on right to the end," he said.
"It is important to remain unbeaten, particularly when we were up against one of the teams around us. I am very pleased with the effort we have seen, after the international break.
"We had to change the right back, purely because Gonzalo Jara had travelled back from Chile. Sam Hutchinson had not played in six months, but did particularly well, considering that.
"I have to say I am delighted with the effort we showed and with our courage. This team does not give in and that is the most pleasing thing you can say, as a manager.
"I thought they showed character to keep going and, even at 2-2, we tried to win the game."
Forest dominated the first half, but could not find a way to make the breakthrough.
"If it was a boxing match, it would have been stopped at half time. In the first half, we were excellent. We just did not quite get the breaks," said Davies.
"We had a lot of shots and a few good chances and we should have come in at half time at least a goal or two up.
"I am told their player (LuaLua) was very fortunate to stay on the pitch, after he had raised his hands – although I have not seen it.
"We did not start well in the second half, we gave them a ten minute period were they got on top. But they got the breaks that we had needed in the first half. There was a Chris Cohen tackle, which they got a very dubious free kick from. They then win a corner from that, which they score from.
"I did enjoy the game, it was very exciting. Brighton are one of the better sides in the division and to do to them what we did in the first 45 minutes was very pleasing.
"The game should have been finished by half time. But one or two breaks went their way – although we did get a break of our own for the second goal. All in all, a point is a point."
Davies revealed that midfielder Adlene Guedioura had been taken to hospital with blurred vision after the game, after being caught by a swinging arm from Dean Hammond.
"Guedioura has gone to hospital with an injury. I am told he has blurred vision," said Davies. "It was when he was breaking forward, he took a blow to the head."