FULHAM extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points with this scrappy victory but also showed that they will need to strengthen their squad if they are to prosper in the Premiership.
Jean Tigana's side, with striker Luis Boa Morte outstanding, dominated the first half and took the lead through Louis Saha's 19th League goal of the season, but Forest were the better team after the break and deserved a point.
John Collins, the Fulham midfielder, said: "I think there is enough talent to do OK in the Premier League but I have no doubt the manager will strengthen the squad in the summer." Fulham have already been linked with Sol Campbell, the England centre half, whose contract with Spurs expires at the end of the season.
Before then, Fulham face one of the most important days in their recent history when their plans for a new 30,000 capacity all-seat stadium at Craven Cottage go before the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham's planning committee on Feb 27. Up to 2,000 Fulham fans are expected to attend that meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall to show their support for the project.
The only goal came after 20 minutes when Kit Symons floated the ball over the Forest defence, Boa Morte crossed from the left and Saha volleyed home from six yards.
Forest should have equalised four minutes later when Andy Melville cleared Jim Brennan's weak shot off the line after Rufus Brevett had blocked an Andy Johnson shot.
David Platt's side came even closer to an equaliser five minutes from time when a Chris Bart-Williams free kick from 22 yards beat goalkeeper Maik Taylor but rebounded into play off the underside of the crossbar.
Forest are still aiming for a play-off place and Platt was delighted with their efforts. "We have proved to ourselves today that if we perform like that between now and the end of the season, we will win more games than we lose and there is every chance of a play-off position," he said. "It was a case of following the game plan. We got it 80 per cent right in the first half and 100 per cent right in the second. I bet we had more efforts on goal than Fulham."
Source sport telegraph by Gary Slater