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Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland made a series of late saves after almost gifting Nottingham Forest a goal in an enthralling draw at the City Ground.

Forest's Lewis Grabban failed to add to his nine goals in nine league games after the break, firing wastefully over following a defensive mix-up.

England international Butland had been to to blame for that error but he ensured a share of the spoils after denying Joe Lolley and Grabban.

Tobias Figueiredo was then Forest's late saviour, clearing a Peter Crouch effort off the line in the fourth minute of injury time.

Forest's first scoreless display at home sees them extend their unbeaten league run to four games, while Stoke are now unbeaten in six away from home.

Stoke's James McClean was again the focus of abuse from sections of both sets of fans for his refusal to wear a poppy, but the winger went close to silencing his detractors early on after forcing Costel Pantilimon to make a save.

The goalkeeper then found himself at the centre of the first-half's most controversial moment, as he escaped punishment for bringing Benik Afobe down outside the box - a decision that infuriated the Stoke players.

Forest had a number of chances to claim all three points after the break, Grabban letting Butland off for a poor attempted pass out of defence before the England goalkeeper made a string of fine stops - with his effort to keep Lolley out in the 84th minute particularly impressive.

Like the Reds, Stoke were left to rue missed opportunities and inspired interventions, as Saido Berahino sent an unmarked header over, while Crouch was foiled by Figueiredo in the 94th minute.

More boos for McClean

McClean again started for Stoke and every touch made by the Republic of Ireland winger attracted boos by some fans because of his decision not to wear the poppy on his shirt.

The 29-year-old came in for similar treatment by some spectators during Stoke's draw with Middlesbrough seven days previously, prompting him to call some Potters fans "cavemen" in a social media post.

Derry-born McClean, who has previously explained why he does not wear the poppy, was warned by the Football Association about the offensive use of language and on Friday he apologised to the "vast majority" of Stoke's fans.

He, however, seemed unfazed by the further attention he received at the City Ground and looked particularly threatening for Stoke throughout.

Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka:

"The performance has been really good. In the first half I do not know if we had too much respect for them, with their Premier League players.

"But at half-time I told the players that we had to play our way, that we had to be brave and want the three points, and the second half was much better.

"It was good for us to compete against the kind of teams we have in recent weeks. We will keep growing and improving."

Stoke City manager Gary Rowett:

"In my opinion we were the better side, the last 10 minutes we ran out of a bit of energy, Forest put us under some pressure.

"We had some really good moments in the game again, we had good control.

"We didn't look in that much trouble at the other end, we defended excellently, we just didn't find that last finish."