Puzzling claim by Forest boss – as he claims draw a “fair” result despite Lions dominating shot count

Chris Hughton felt his Nottingham Forest side merited their 1-1 draw at Millwall yesterday.

The Lions had 15 shots to the visitors’ four – with five on target.

Millwall had taken a 47th-minute lead through Tom Bradshaw.

But Alex Mighton equalised just two minutes later. It was Forest’s only effort on target.

Hughton said: “It was a fair result. But when you go 1-0 down, in this type of game, that is going to be tight and playing against a very direct team – it’s probably more about battling qualities than the quality you show.

“Overall I was probably pleased with the draw.

“That was important [that Forest levelled quickly]. The natural feeling is that if they are 1-0 up, then as the game goes and they go two up then they go even more direct. Or they start settling for the 1-0, which maybe opens up the game a little more.

“The response was really good. It was a good goal as well.”

It was Mighton’s first goal for Forest.

Hughton said: “Brilliant for him and probably what it does show is that up until then it had been a difficult game for him. He hadn’t really got into the spaces where he can show quality. He was up against a good full-back that got tight on him.

“Probably up until the goal he’d had a quiet game. But when you’re a forward player or a winger then it’s about them moments that you can change something or make it happen.

“It was a super run. He didn’t have to make that run because Lewis Grabban had already made it – but great anticipation and finish.”