Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's late Championship kickoff as Nottingham Forest host Leeds United at The City Ground. Both sides could really do with a win for different reasons today, and we should be in for an intriguing battle between two clubs steeped in history. Let's start with a look at the teams on show...

NOTTINGHAM FOREST STARTING XI: Darlow; Lichaj, Mancienne, Wilson, Fox, Hunt, Tesche, Lansbury, Antonio, Fryatt, Blackstock

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUBS: De Vries, Assombalonga, Lascelles, Ince, Paterson, Burke, Osborn

LEEDS STARTING XI: Silvestri; Byram, Pearce, Cooper, Warnock; Cook, Bianchi, Mowatt, Adryan; Antenucci, Sharp

LEEDS SUBS: S Taylor, Berardi, Del Fabro, Tonge, Montenegro, Morison, Doukara

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, there is something of a surprise from Stuart Pearce as he leaves Britt Assombalonga on the bench, with Jamie Paterson also making way in a side that sees two changes. In come Fryatt and Hunt for the hosts, while Dexter Blackstock resumes up front having scored five goals in four games for Forest against Leeds.

As for Leeds, there is just the one change as far as the visitors are concerned, with Billy Sharp replacing Doukara up front. Sharp has not scored in his last four games against Forest having netted five in his first six league games against them. Elsewhere, Warnock has overcome a recent illness to start, but there is no place for either Austin or Bellusci, both of whom are struggling with injuries.

The hosts come into this match on the back of a three-game winless streak, which fans of the club will hope is not the start of another major slump in form. Stuart Pearce's side were the early pacesetters in the Championship and had many tipping them for automatic promotion, but a run of 10 games without a victory saw the slide down the table and out of the playoff places. They looked to have put an end to that poor form with back-to-back victories, but they have now managed just two points from the last nine available.

As a result, they began the day five points off the playoff places, due largely to the number of draws they have been held to so far this season. Nine of their 21 matches in the league have ended all square, which is a tally that only Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic can beat. They need to find a way to turn those draws into victories if they harbour genuine ambitions of a top-six finish.

They come into this match having been held to draws in their last two games, the most recent of which was a particularly disappointing 0-0 against struggling Rotherham United. That one came at the New York Stadium, but Forest won't exactly be thrilled at returning to The City Ground today. Their recent record at home is not great, with just one win in their last six in all competitions.

One interesting thing to keep an eye on this afternoon will be how much Forest are able to dominate in the air. Stuart Pearce will have done his homework on Leeds, and the visitors are yet to score a single headed goal this season. Forest, meanwhile, have scored 10 - more than any other side - so will be looking at that as a big possibility for goals today. The visitors, meanwhile, will need to find a way to combat that.

Both of these clubs have been in the news for the wrong reasons this week having failed to comply with the Financial Fair Play regulations, resulting in a transfer embargo being imposed. It is the latest in a long line of off-field distractions for Leeds, who also have issues with Massimo Cellino still hanging over the club's head. Nothing ever seems to be easy at Elland Road at the moment, and matters on the pitch are not exactly going well enough to turn a blind eye.

Neil Redfearn's side fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Fulham, with Hugo Rodallega getting the only goal of the game on the hour mark. It was a hugely disappointing result for the club, leaving them just five points clear of the relegation zone approaching the halfway point in the season. They have already lost 10 matches this season, and only bottom-placed Blackpool had been beaten more times at the start of the weekend.

They have now lost three of their last four, including both of their most recent outings, and are looking to avoid falling to three consecutive league defeats for the first time this season today. However, the one match they haven't lost in that time was a very impressive 2-0 victory over high-flying Derby County, so Neil Redfearn knows that his side have the ability to beat the big boys when they are at their best.

Their away form will be a major concern, however. They have only won once on their travels all season and haven't emerged victorious in any of their last six, picking up just one point from a possible 18 in that time. Indeed, they have the worst away record in the entire division this season with just five points on the road so far. That is the same amount as bottom-club Blackpool, but Leeds have a worse goal difference than the Tangerines.

PREDICTION: We're just a few minutes from kickoff at The City Ground now, which means that it is about time I made a prediction! Neither side are in great form coming into this one, but Leeds' dreadful away form tempts me to hand the advantage to Forest this evening. A draw wouldn't be the biggest of surprises, but I'm going to go for a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

It really is an intriguing fixture this one, and one that both sides will be desperate to win. You can listen to what we had to say about this game on the Sports Mole sofa below:

KICKOFF: Forest get us underway on a big night for both sides here. These are two unpredictable teams, so it will be very interesting to see what happens here.

SHOT! The first shot of the match comes from the hosts, but it is a wayward one from Lansbury. Leeds struggle to clear their lines and eventually the ball falls to Lansbury around 30 yards from goal. He unleashes a half volley, but it flies a long way off target.

This has been a very scrappy opening to the match, with neither side able to get the ball down and play some nice passes together. Another scrappy period sees the ball drop to Antenucci on the edge of the area, but he couldn't get enough on his effort to trouble the keeper.

This has been a bold selection from Pearce today. Not only has he left out top scorer Assombalonga, but Antonio, who has also been a potent attacking threat this season, has started the game in a left wing-back role.

Adryan tires to get into the game for the first time tonight, but Wilson muscles him off the ball, causing the Brazilian to clutch his face. The defender's hands were up, but it was a huge overreaction from Adryan.

Neither side has been able to take control of this game yet. There has been a noticeable lack of quality on the ball so far, with neither side able to get much joy on the ground.

Adryan looks to inject a bit of pace into proceedings, picking the ball up in midfield and driving straight at the defence. He is well tackled, but bounces straight back up and tries to win the ball back. He concedes a free kick in the process, but Redfearn will be happy with the desire the youngster showed there.

CLOSE! Leeds are very close to breaking the deadlock here! They get in behind Forest down the right and the ball is pulled back for Mowatt, who fires an effort goalwards. Fox races out to block him, however, and the ball curls just past the post.

CHANCE! Another huge chance for the visitors! Adryan fizzes the ball into the box and it drops to Antenucci, whose strike takes a late deflection on the way through. Darlow is able to react brilliantly to keep it out with his feet, but the ball bounces straight back out to Pearce. The defender lacks the composure to finish it from close range, however, and the chance goes begging.

Good response from Forest as they begin to apply a bit of pressure themselves. They fire a couple of balls into the box in quick succession, but Silvestri just about deals with them despite being challenged by Blackstock.

Lansbury goes charging into a challenge on Bianchi, cutting the right-back down late after he had cleared the ball. That could well have been a yellow card, which would have resulted in a suspension for Lansbury as he already has nine yellow cards this season. He needs to be a little smarter with his tackling there.

Adryan is looking like the brightest spark for Leeds at the moment. He is trying to get at the Forest defence whenever he gets the ball and, while they have coped with him well so far, he does look capable of creating something.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Forest have the ball in the back of the net, but it is wrongly disallowed for offside! It is some shoddy defending from the visitors as they fail to deal with a cross into the box. The ball falls to Antonio, whose shot deflects off the knees of Fryatt and in. The linesman's flag is up, but the replays show that he was level!

YELLOW CARD! Mancienne becomes the first player in the book for a scything challenge on Adryan. No complaints there.

YELLOW CARD! He is swiftly followed into the book by Sam Byram, giving Forest a free kick in a good crossing position.

CHANCE! Nothing comes of the first free kick, but they soon win a second which brings more joy. Antonio attacks it at the back post and very nearly latches on to it, with Byram doing just about enough. The ball bounces back out to Blackstock, but his cushioned header is comfortable for Silvestri.

This is a good spell of pressure from Forest at the moment. Leeds are struggling to get out and have been forced to face a number of testing deliveries into their area.

Forest have probably had just about the better of this opening half an hour and should be ahead after that wrongly disallowed goal. Having said that, Leeds have had their moments and squandered the best chance of the game so far, so there isn't much between these two right now.

Leeds have weathered the mini storm from Forest and are beginning to get themselves into the final third again now. Once more it is Adryan who looks most dangerous, picking up a pass from Warnock before playing a cross into the box that Darlow collects well.

A worry for Forest here as Blackstock looks to have picked up a bit of a knock. He is trying to run it off but is not moving freely at all. Of course, Forest have a decent replacement on the bench in Assombalonga, but Blackstock has been successful in the air so far, so Pearce won't want to change it unless he has to.

It looks like he may have to after all. He can barely move and, at the first stoppage in play, goes down to receive a bit of treatment. It would be a surprise if he is able continue here.

The physio gives the bench a thumbs-up, however, and it looks like the striker may be able to continue after all. He took a knock to the back of his knee and may have just been suffering from a dead leg.

Blackstock is still not exactly moving freely, and Assombalonga has been told to go and warm up. It looks like the change will be happening after all, despite Blackstock's best efforts to continue.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUB: There is the change, with Assombalonga getting himself back in the side sooner than he might have expected.

That injury saga is about the most interesting thing that has happened in the last 10 minutes or so. Chances and shooting opportunities have been very few and far between.

The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time.

Forest get the breakthrough right at the end of the first half! It is dreadful marking from Leeds as Mancienne all too easily loses Bianchi to flick a corner on at the front post. Warnock is then unaware of Fryatt stealing a yard on him, and he slides in to poke the ball home from close range. He wasn't going to miss from there!

The referee brings an end to the first half, and it is Nottingham Forest that go into the break with the lead courtesy of a late strike. In truth, the match has been sorely lacking in quality for long periods, but both teams have fashioned chances and will be confident of building on their performances in the second half.

The opener came from Matty Fryatt in the first minute of stoppage time as he slid in to poke home Mancienne's header from close range. It was dreadful defending from the visitors as they allowed both Mancienne and Fryatt to lose their markers inside the box, but Fryatt was alert to finish and give his side the lead.

He will feel that he deserved the goal, however, having had an earlier one wrongly disallowed. Antonio's effort struck Fryatt on the knee on the way through, diverting it into the net, only for his celebrations to be cut short by the linesman. It did initially look like he had strayed off, but the replays showed that Byram was in fact playing him on.

The visitors did enjoy a good spell on top around the 15-minute mark, and they almost made the breakthrough during that period. Having seen one deflected effort fall just wide, a second effort from Antenucci was deflected right in front of Darlow, who reacted brilliantly to make a save with his feet. The ball bounced out to Pearce in a great position, but the defender rushed his effort and fired it well off target.

Forest suffered an injury blow in the first half, with Dexter Blackstock limping off despite trying to play on for a while with what looked like a knee injury. Britt Assombalonga, who was a surprise omission from the starting lineup in the first place, came on instead, which could well force Forest to alter their style of play in the second half. They were getting joy in the air with Blackstock, but Assombalonga doesn't quite have the same aerial presence.

The game itself hasn't been the best, it must be said. It is clear that both of these sides are lacking a bit in confidence after poor recent runs. They have both struggled to string a good run of passes together, and it has been far too scrappy at times.

KICKOFF: Leeds get us back underway for the second half as they look to claw their way back into the match. No changes for either side at the break.

Bright play from Sharp on the left as he picks the ball up and cuts inside to escape his marker. However, the quality is again lacking in the final third as his subsequent delivery is easy for the Forest defence.

Leeds need to get the ball to Adryan more often. The Brazilian is the only player who has really looked like making something happen for the visitors today. He has run into a few cul-de-sacs, but he has at least shown the desire to get at the Forest defence.

Leeds are back level here! It is Byram who wins the penalty for his side, latching on to an Antenucci pass inside the box before jinking his way past Fox and going over an outstretched leg. The referee points straight to the spot, and Billy Sharp steps up to hammer his penalty down the middle against his former club.

It has been a good response from the hosts, who have got straight back onto the front foot in an effort to restore their advantage. They win a free kick in a good position, which will provide Lansbury the chance to test Silvestri...

...but it is a very disappointing effort. Lansbury plays a tame effort straight into the wall and a good position goes begging for the hosts.

CHANCE! Good chance for the hosts to regain their lead! Fryatt collects the ball in the middle with his back to goal, but his lay-off to Lansbury is poor. The midfielder manages to get something on the ball, which sends it looping to Hunt, but his effort is really tame and easy for the keeper.

SAVE! Silvestri is called into action again, but this one is a much tougher save. Antonio cuts inside onto his right foot and fires a fine effort towards the far top corner, only for the Leeds keeper to tip it over with a one-handed stop.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner Forest manufacture another big chance. This time it is Adryan who loses his man, allowing Tesche to nod the ball just over.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Another hugely controversial moment as Fryatt has a second goal disallowed! The ball is nodded down to the goalscorer in the middle and he slots it beyond the keeper from close range, only to see his celebrations cut short yet again. The replays show that he was just about level, although it was a very close one. He could - and perhaps should - have had a hat-trick tonight.

The City Ground has a big screen where those incidents are shown, and the fans have now seen it too. They are understandably unhappy with the decision, as is Stuart Pearce, who is letting the officials know that he feels as if he has been robbed twice this evening.

CHANCE! This is end-to-end stuff right now. Forest break quickly having been on the end of a Leeds attack, but once that breaks down the visitors are straight back up at the other end. Cook does really well when leading the charge before picking out Sharp at the back post. The Leeds goalscorer volleys it towards the near post, but Darlow does just about enough to shovel it wide.

LEEDS SUB: A first change of the match for the visitors as Adryan makes way to be replaced by Steve Morison.

We're approaching the final 20 minutes now, and this game is very nicely poised going into it. It could still go either way, with Leeds beginning to show more of a threat going forward and Forest always capable of grabbing a goal.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUB: Stuart Pearce turns to his bench for the second time tonight as Chris Burke comes on for Hunt.

YELLOW CARD! Really good play from Byram as he plucks a crossfield pass out of the air to get on the wrong side of Antonio. He then runs across the Middlesbrough man, who trips him and gets a yellow card for his troubles.

SAVE! It is a role reversal at the other end as Antonio bursts past Byram down the left before putting a testing cross into the box. It eventually falls to Lansbury, who is coming onto the ball, but he slips at the vital moment. Leeds clear it as far as Tesche, whose low shot from range draws a good save from Silvestri.

SAVE! Silvestri is called into action again as Lansbury brings the ball forward before trying to curl a fine effort towards the near post. However, the Leeds keeper pulls off a great flying save to deny the Forest man. Moments later the ball comes to Assombalonga at the back post, but his downward header is cleared right in front of the keeper.

LEEDS SUB: Leeds have been playing the last minute or so with 10 men due to an injury to Sharp, and the striker will not be able to continue. He is replaced by Michael Tonge.

CHANCE! More dangerous play from Forest as they come forward down the left. Antonio's ball is flicked on by Fryatt, which takes it to Burke at the back post. The sub looks for Assombalonga in the middle, but Silvestri smothers the attempted pass before being fouled moments later.

Forest have got a bit of urgency about them now, looking to take the set pieces quickly and put the Leeds defence under some sustained pressure. They are asking all of the questions at the moment, but they need to be wary of Leeds on the break.

YELLOW CARD! Lichaj becomes the third Forest player in the book for a cynical block on Morison.

SHOT! Burke picks the ball up just inside the Leeds half and carries it a long way, with the defenders being dragged away by a clever run from Lansbury. It eventually opens up for a shot, but he curls his effort well off target.

LEEDS SUB: The visitors make their third and final change as Souleymane Doukara replaces Antenucci for the final five minutes or so.

SAVE! Leeds break forward in search of a late goal to take the lead, and Doukara almost provides it. He picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal and drills a powerful low effort through the legs of Wilson, but Darlow gets down well to push the ball away.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUB: A late change for Forest as Jamie Paterson comes on for Michael Mancienne. That is an attacking change from Pearce as he goes in search of the win here.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match! Time for some late drama!

A hint of a chance for the hosts late on as Lansbury latches on to a knockdown on the edge of the box. He controls it with his chest but then has to take the volley early and on his weaker foot, so it is no surprise to see it sail harmlessly over the bar.

How big could those two disallowed goals prove to be? Forest are running out of time to win this one, but they will feel that they have already done enough to have claimed all three points.

CLOSE! Almost a late winner for Forest as Antonio floats a ball into the box that Assombalonga does really well to win. He gets his head to the ball but can only plant his effort narrowly past the post.

The referee brings an end to proceedings at The City Ground, and it is honours even between Nottingham Forest and Leeds, which doesn't really do much for either side in truth. It is yet another draw for the hosts - their 10th of the season in just 22 games - while Leeds restore the five-point gap between themselves and the bottom three.

The opening goal of the game came right on the stroke of half time as Matty Fryatt converted Mancienne's flick from close range following some dreadful marking from the visitors. However, Leeds responded when Byram was brought down by Fox in the box, allowing Sharp to power his penalty home. Fryatt controversially had two goals disallowed for offside, however, so Stuart Pearce can feel justifiably aggrieved that his side missed out on all three points today.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's late Championship kickoff as Nottingham Forest and Leeds play out a 1-1 draw. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, which should be on site shortly. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!