Nottingham Forest 2-2 Swansea City: Sammy Ameobi double denies Swans
- Published
Swansea's Kyle Naughton was sent off late on by referee Oliver Langford for a tackle on Forest's Alex Mighten
Nottingham Forest edged closer to sealing a Championship play-off place with a 2-2 draw that damaged Swansea City's top-six hopes.
Sammy Ameobi was Forest's hero as he twice struck from outside the box to equalise after Swansea had gone ahead.
Rhian Brewster's high-class finish gave Swansea an early lead, only for Ameobi to curl home his first leveller.
Andre Ayew's penalty made it 2-1 at the break before Ameobi's long-ranger earned Forest a point, with Swansea defender Kyle Naughton seeing red late on.
Sabri Lamouchi's team need a maximum of two points from their two remaining games - at Barnsley and at home to Stoke - to secure a first Championship play-off appearance since 2011.
In reality one more draw should be enough to get Forest over the line, given that their goal difference is considerably better than that of seventh-placed Millwall.
Swansea, who are three points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City, must look to win their last two fixtures - against Bristol City and Reading - and hope the Bluebirds and Millwall slip up.
Swansea began at the City Ground like a team who knew they had to deliver, with Ayew heading their first chance wide before Connor Roberts drilled into the side netting.
Brewster then netted for the ninth time in 18 appearances since arriving on loan from Liverpool in January - and this was probably his best goal yet.
Jake Bidwell crossed for Brewster to finish in style on his weaker left foot, his first time half-volley flashing past Brice Samba and into the net.
Forest offered little going forward early on, but levelled with their first notable attack of the evening.
Ameobi was almost stopped by Mike van der Hoorn's challenge, but worked the ball on to his right foot and curled a measured shot beyond the dive of Erwin Mulder from 20 yards.
The forward almost made it two goals from two Forest chances when Ameobi beat Marc Guehi and flashed an effort across the face of goal.
Let off the hook there, Swansea restored their lead after Ryan Yates was adjudged to have caught Ayew.
Forest felt the infringement was outside the box and they also argued Ayew had stuttered in his run-up before sending Samba the wrong way from the spot.
But the officials ignored home complaints as Swansea celebrated Ayew's 17th goal of the season.
Once again, however, Ameobi would deliver for Forest.
The former Newcastle man picked the ball up on the right flank before drifting inside and unleashing a low, 25-yard drive which beat Mulder at his near post.
Swansea had a sight of goal through Ayew before Naughton's cynical foul on Alex Mighten, who was chopped down on halfway as he countered, saw the visitors reduced to 10 men eight minutes from time.
Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi:
"It was not enough to secure the play-offs but we started the game in the wrong way.
"We conceded the first goal in my opinion so easy. After that it was a good reaction with the goal from Sammy.
"We miss the second (chance) before the break. Unfortunately we played not so well in the first half, but a very positive reaction in the second half from the boys.
"We tried to win this game but unfortunately we took just one point. If I am satisfied? Yes with the point, but we tried to play for the victory and tonight it was impossible."
Swansea head coach Steve Cooper:
"To come here, which this season is one of the toughest away games, and lead twice and not win is frustrating.
"I thought we started the game really well. We were good for one and if anything I thought we could go and get two.
"Then the first time they have had any sort of passes, they have scored. We got ourselves back in front and we looked really dangerous.
"I think Forest have scored 87% of their goals through (Lewis) Grabban or (from) outside the box. We have done that a lot in the game plan, so for them to score two from outside the box is frustrating for everybody.
"I am frustrated that we've led twice and not won, but I am not frustrated with the performance or the players' attitude."