Wolves 1 Nottingham Forest 1: Visitors bounce back from Fulham mauling but throw away lead as points shared

STEVE Cooper must wait to see if he gets an unwanted birthday present – even though Nottingham Forest stopped the rot.

The Forest boss was tipped to get the sack if his side had lost to Wolves and suffered a fifth successive defeat.

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Matheus Cunha enjoys his equaliser for Wolves[/caption]

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Harry Toffolo celebrates his opener for Forest[/caption]

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Steve Cooper shows the strain despite ending a losing streak[/caption]

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Toffolo soared for a fine early breakthrough but it couldn’t earn Forest victory[/caption]

But despite Forest producing a battling display to earn their first away point in two months, Cooper went over to the travelling fans at the final whistle and waved to them in what could be seen as a goodbye gesture.

Cooper turns 44 on Sunday – and a P45 might tell be on his way.

Whether the display will be enough to pull Cooper from the brink remains to be seen.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis was thought to be ready to wield the axe after Wednesday’s 5-0 mauling at Fulham.

But Harry Toffolo opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he headed home his first Forest goal.

Wolves levelled through Matheus Cunha – but Forest wasted two chances to win the game as Cheik Kouyate and Toffolo should have scored.

Forest fans have backed Cooper at matches despite the recent run of form – and they unfurled a banner with the manager’s face on it before the game.

And they were singing his name at the final whistle as well as Cooper went over to the far side of the ground to applaud them with the players.

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Cooper clearly thought a shake-up was needed following the Fulham game.

He made seven changes to his line-up – including bringing back USA keeper Matt Turner and dropping Odisseas Vlachodimos after the Craven Cottage collapse. He also went to five at the back in a bid to strengthen his defence.

Forest took an early lead and Morgan Gibbs-White – taking plenty of stick from Wolves supporters as an ex-Molineux man – started the move.

The ball was fed out to Neco Williams on the right and his cross was met by Toffolo, who rose highest in the six yard box to head home.

But Wolves levelled 13 minutes before half-time with a superb move.

Mario Lamina found Pablo Sarabia with a pinpoint pass – and the ball was put on a plate for Cunha’s fifth goal of the season.

Forest still looked dangerous on the break, but failed to make the most of their openings.

They had a clear chance to regain the lead in stoppage time, but wasted the opportunity.

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Cunha rounded off a slick team move with a point-saver for Wolves[/caption]

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Anthony Elanga went close for Forest[/caption]

Kouyate recovered after taking a blow to the head – despite Forest coaches urging him to come off.

The Senegal midfielder carried on and, moments later,  robbed Wolves defender Max Kilman of the ball to leave him one-on-one with keeper Jose Sa.

But he hurried his shot and the fit-again Sa was able to smother the shot.

Forest threatened again after the break and Anthony Elanga smashed a shot against the bar – but the flag went up straight after.

Cooper had his head in his hands after 69 minutes when the same combination that provided the opener, failed to add a second goal.

William dispossessed sub Matt Doherty, cut in from the right and crossed for Toffolo – but this time he somehow headed over from close range.

Wolves still sensed victory and Turner saved from Cunha. But Forest suffered a blow after 77 minutes when in-form defender Murillo limped off injured.

But it was a second half of pure frustration for Wolves who could not build on their first half momentum.