NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo felt that his side’s draw with Cherries was “well deserved” even if it “was not a beautiful game”.

Forest managed to cancel out Justin Kluivert’s early opener for Cherries via Callum Hudson-Odoi just before the break, the game descending into a stop-start affair in the second period.

Neither side particularly threatened in the final 45, even when Cherries were reduced to 10 men following Philip Billing’s straight red card in the 84th minute.

Debutant Matz Sels in the Forest goal did not have a save to make, whilst Cherries’ Neto at the other end was similarly unbusy.

Discussing the match, former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno started: “Tough game, very difficult game.

“We knew how Bournemouth is and how strong they are.

“I think we started badly the game.

“We allowed Bournemouth to really press us and achieve six or seven corners.

“I think it's a lot. And from a corner we concede, we start bad.

“But after that I think react well. We start controlling the game and being more dominant and having good actions.

“I think it’s well deserved that we reached the draw before half time.

“I think in the second half both teams didn't play well.

“It was not a beautiful game, very physical, very intense and a lot of second balls.

“But I felt that, we could have done better, especially in the final pass.”

“But a tough game.

“The results are a consequence of the performance, and now we have to focus on how we want to perform, and things will naturally come.”

The result lifts Forest above Luton Town and into 16th place, two points clear of Everton in the final relegation spot of 18th.

Cherries rose up to 12th due to the point, leapfrogging Fulham.