City manager Nigel Pearson struggled to contain his disappointment after a controversial penalty decision cost his side an East Midlands derby win over Nottingham Forest.
Pearson’s men were firmly in control of a well-contested local tussle, having taken the lead after a Lloyd Dyer shot deflected in off Elliott Ward, then regained it through David Nugent after Adlene Guedioura had briefly levelled.
But a spot-kick awarded against Zak Whitbread for what looked a clean tackle on Billy Sharp was dispatched by Simon Cox halfway through the second half, leaving Pearson to rue the intervention of Cheshire referee Anthony Taylor.
“You can tell I’m not happy about it and I’ve seen on the TV again and basically it’s a good challenge,” said Pearson.
“He gets the ball, the referee is in a good position, full-stop.
“I thought we did ok today. It’s always going to be a tight game in a local derby, they came to keep it tight and I’m sure they’ll be delighted with the point. I have a lot of respect for Sean, I like the way he plays his football.
“I thought we played pretty well today, did enough to win the game and they’ve gone away with what they came for.
“We’ve played better and we’ve not played as well, but we did enough to win the game and we haven’t.
“That’s life. There will be other days, I’m sure."