Earnshaw strike earns Forest replay

Wales international Earnshaw, who left Derby to join Forest last summer, marked his return to Pride Park with a second-half goal to earn his side a replay at the City Ground next month

Rob Hulse had given the hosts the lead in the first half and they would have progressed through to the fifth round had it not been for Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith, who produced two brilliant saves late on.

The first real chance arrived as the midway point of the first half approached.

It was all Gary Teale's work. The midfielder cut inside from the left wing but his low shot from the edge of the area lacked conviction and was easily gathered by Smith.

Smith was called into more athletic action to turn away Nacer Barazite's shot in the 34th minute, but there was nothing he could do to keep out Hulse two minutes later.

Hulse finished off a superb Derby attack which began with a neat one-two between Paul Connolly and Barazite down the right-hand side.

Forest's first clear chance came early in the second half. Nathan Tyson got clear down the left side of the box and forced Stephen Bywater to block. The loose ball was then hacked clear before Earnshaw could react to the rebound.

But Earnshaw was to get on the scoresheet and Forest's goal was remarkably similar to the one they conceded. Substitute Gareth McCleary dug out a cross, Tyson stepped over the ball at the near post and Earnshaw turned and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

Smith produced two dramatic late saves to keep out headers from Hulse and substitute Luke Varney to ensure that no-one got the bragging rights.