NOTTINGHAM Forest failed to turn their domination into goals against Barnsley, following a first half in which they carved out several chances to take the lead.
Henri Lansbury saw a header bounce away off the bar, while Adlene Guedioura and Billy Sharp were both denied by fine saves from Tykes keeper Luke Steele.
Forest also suffered a blow when Sam Hutchinson had to go off mid-way through the half, with the defender again looking to be struggling with his knee problem.
Forest, who had not scored in the first 15 minutes of any game in the Championship this season, almost had a chance to score after just 15 seconds, as they made a lively start.
Henri Lansbury's darting run into space down the right was followed by a neat pass to Simon Cox, who went down with three Barnsley players around him – although it would have been a generous decision had referee Andy Haines pointed to the spot.
Forest had made one change to their team, with Radi Majewski brought into the starting line-up in place of Lewis McGugan, who dropped to the bench.
And the little Pole won the first of a flurry of early corners for the Reds, one of which saw them come agonisingly close to an early goal again.
Ward did well to retain possession on the edge of the box after Majewski's initial effort had been half cleared and, when he bundled the ball through to Cox his driven shot, fired across the face of goal, was deflected narrowly wide of the upright.
Forest were looking dangerous when they played with width, with Cohen finding the room to drill a cross to the near post and win another corner, after Barnsley had failed to deal with a looping ball from Hutchinson from the right.
Hutchinson, the on-loan Chelsea defender, had to be replaced in the 22nd minute, as he seemed to be struggling again with his continued knee problems. Danny Collins came on, with Greg Halford moving over into the right back position.
Forest pushed again as Majewski fired in a cross from the left, but the ball flew right across the face of goal without anyone being able to apply the vital touch.
Majewski's delivery from a corner then carved out a good chance for Lansbury, who had escaped his marker at the far post, but his powerful header bounced away off the bar.
A huge throw from Halford then picked out Sharp, who connected firmly with a diving header, but saw Luke Steele make a superb save, diving instantly to his right to hold.
While Adlene Guedioura then let fly with a fizzing shot that had the keeper producing his best again, this time diving low to his right to push away at full stretch.
When Martin Cranie brought an abrupt end to a Cohen dart down the left flank, it earned the Barnsley man a booking – and gave Forest a free kick in a dangerous area. But, while Majewski's delivery to the far post caused chaos, Barnsley were again ultimately able to clear without Forest getting a shot away.
In first half injury time, the ball fell to Guedioura for him to have another crack from distance, but Steele was again equal to it, falling to his right to push away effectively.
