Nottingham Forest 0 - 0 Cardiff City: Forest edge closer to play-off as Davies hails turnaround

BILLY Davies was in upbeat mood after his Nottingham Forest side moved a step closer to securing a Coca-Cola Championship play-off place with a goalless draw against in-form Cardiff.

Forest's failure to claim a record 13th consecutive home win guaranteed Newcastle a return to the Barclays Premier League, while West Brom appear certain to beat Davies' men to the second automatic promotion spot. However, Davies feels his side deserve immense credit for their efforts so far this season as they close in on a top-six finish.

Forest were in a relegation battle 12 months ago and Davies said: "It would be a remarkable achievement if we get to the play-offs. We're very close. We're not there yet but if we do get there I will be celebrating what is an outstanding turnaround."

Forest were unfortunate not to claim victory against the Bluebirds having dominated the second period. "I can ask no more of these players," Davies added. "I thought it was outstanding, the effort they put in, and they deserved more than they got, but I'm delighted with the point." Cardiff manager Dave Jones was forced to play down a furious exchange between goalkeeper David Marshall and team-mate Anthony Gerrard in the closing stages. The duo nearly came to blows after a disagreement in the penalty area and Jones said: "If they want to fight, it should be in our dressing room, all it did was get their crowd going."