Nottingham Forest's pre-season friendly campaign concluded with yet another goalless draw - their fifth in seven friendlies - at the City Ground as the Reds were held to another stalemate on Saturday night against Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.
Forest might've broken the deadlock on a number of different occasions in the first half, but to no avail; Ryan Yates, standing in as captain for the night in place of the absent Morgan Gibbs-White - afforded the night off for personal reasons - lifted one effort over the angle of post and bar when receiving the ball in the penalty area.
Summer signing Igor Jesus came closer than anyone, though - on two occasions in fact. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Neco Williams combined highly effectively down the Forest left hand side and in both events Jesus was the recipient of the delivery - but twice he glanced headers just past the near post.
Matz Sels, who had to be alert at the end of either half in the goalless draw with Fiorentina here on Tuesday, was required again when Al-Qadsiah went close from a corner, but the first period rather petered out without too much further goalmouth action at either end.
In truth, things didn't particularly get much more exciting in the second half; there was an instant and sustained pressure from Forest in the first five or ten minutes after the restart, but they couldn't make that pressure pay and Al Qadsiah were able to hold them at an arm's length.
Indeed about as close as the Reds came in the second half was in the closing stages when substitute Jota Silva let fly and forced a save from Ahmed Al-Kassar, and then Taiwo Awoniyi couldn't follow home from close range but a tight angle. All roads now lead to the Premier League, and Brentford.
### Nottingham Forest player ratings
**Sels 6**
Made one big save from a corner in the first half. Came and punched another clear and remained in the thick of the action having collided with an Al-Qadsiah player contesting a set-piece. Watched on for the second half.
**Aina 6**
Back in the fray after a couple of games absent with a minor injury. Brought energy and quick feet down the right, showing a few early signs of a burgeoning partnership with Ndoye in front of him, but that's in its infancy. A little behind his teammates in preparation having missed the last couple of friendlies so handled carefully and given an hour.
**Milenkovic 7**
A comfortable night's work for the towering defender, who only played for an hour having been the only outfield player to have completed 90 minutes on Tuesday. He and Murillo snuffed out pretty much anything Al Qadsiah offered.
**Murillo 7**
Executed one challenge in the penalty area to perfection when he nailed Nahitan Nandez in the penalty area. His range of passing from the back was a threat and he made up plenty of ground on one occasion to cut out an Al Qadsiah breakaway.
**Williams 7**
Really bright in the first half and involved in most of the good stuff Forest produced going forwards. Knows the game of Hudson-Odoi in front of him and the pair linked well, creating chances for Jesus in the first half.
**Anderson 6**
Anderson was busy in the first period, playing his part in Forest building up opportunities which often came to fruition on the flanks. Completed some efficient passes and at one stage took a whack on his foot which he clearly felt.
**Yates 6**
In the side and captain in the absence of Gibbs-White. Might've opened the scoring when he danced into the penalty area in the first half and lifted an effort just over the bar. Was running onto a Williams cross before Jesus intercepted it.
**Hudson-Odoi 7**
Looked really sharp and as likely an outlet as anyone in a red shirt in the first half to creating something which would unlock Al Qadsiah's defence. Produced some menacing runs down the left, showing his man a clean set of heels, and with a good supply to boot. Combined well with Williams and tried his luck from distance in the second half.
**Ndoye 6**
A so-so performance from Ndoye, who was bright again in the first half and squeezed one deflected effort of the visiting goal. An understanding with Aina on the right will need time to develop but there were signs of promise. He was a little quieter in the second half.
**Jesus 6**
Linked the play between the lines well enough but when he had the openings to break the deadlock, he couldn't do so, twice flashing headers past the near post after Forest had carved out opportunities on the left.
**Wood 6**
It's not been a straightforward pre-season campaign for Wood in front of goal, though he did net the one they bagged. Once or twice here things might've fallen for him and not teammates and, had that been the case, he may have converted the opportunities. Worked hard enough but not afforded the chances.
### Substitutes
**Cunha (for Aina 61) 6**
Filled in at right-back again initially and then moved into the back three. Cunha did embark on one fleet-footed run into the penalty area before his adventure was cut out.
**Boly (for Milenkovic 61) 6**
Slotted straight in alongside Murillo initially and then it became a back three, with Morato and Cunha alongside him. Untroubled.
**Sangare (for Anderson 61) 6**
Cool customer in the middle. Picked one or two nice passes and provided adequate protection for the back-line.
**Jota (for Jesus 61) 6**
If he'd held his run from Sangare's pass, he'd have been in one goal, but instead the flag went up. Came as close as anyone late on when letting fly.
**Morato (for Murillo 78)**
**Awoniyi (for Wood 78)**
**Richards (for Williams 78)**
**Stamenic (for Hudson-Odoi 78)**
**da Silva Moreira (for Ndoye 78)**
Substitutes not used: Gunn, Miguel, Abbott, Carmo
The ref: Tom Kirk
Attendance: 12,630