Team news

Ayala in frame for McLeish bow On-loan defender Daniel Ayala comes back into the reckoning as Alex McLeish takes charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time against Crystal Palace.

The Norwich centre-half was suspended for the 4-2 home victory over Leeds on Boxing Day - Sean O'Driscoll's final match as manager.

Former Aston Villa and Birmingham boss McLeish - installed as O'Driscoll's successor the following day - started work on Friday and will oversee his new side's second successive match at the City Ground.

The Scot will be without on-loan Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson (knee) and borrowed Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas (calf).

Victory for Forest combined with favourable results elsewhere would see them finish 2012 in a npower Championship play-off spot.M Danny Gabbidon will continue to deputise for the suspended Damien Delaney as Crystal Palace look to end their four-match winless run.

Delaney serves the second game of his three-match ban following his dismissal against Huddersfield and Welshman Gabbidon, who made his full debut in the defeat to Cardiff, will retain his place in defence.

Ian Holloway's side have won only once in their last seven games and that poor run of form could force the Eagles boss to make changes.

He will once more be without the injured Paddy McCarthy, who remains sidelined with a groin injury.

Midfielder Jonny Williams (groin) was an unused substitute against the Bluebirds but will be one of those eyeing a starting berth.

Nottm Forest vs Crystal Palace

Last modified 17:25 29/12/12

Draw for McLeish in first game Alex McLeish's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

McLeish, appointed on Thursday after the Al Hasawi family dispensed of Sean O'Driscoll's services on Boxing Day just hours after the 4-2 home win over Leeds, received a good reception prior to kick-off at the City Ground.

Andy Reid scored Forest's first goal of the McLeish era, equalising in first-half injury time after Glenn Murray had put Palace in front in the ninth minute.

It looked like there was to be no fairytale beginning for the Scot when Murray struck again with nine minutes remaining, but Billy Sharp grabbed an injury-time leveller.

McLeish would probably have named the same team that beat Leeds, but Alan Hutton's sickness bug brought an enforced change.

Dan Harding was restored to the starting line up, meaning Greg Halford moved to right-back with Harding playing at left-back.

Palace manager Ian Holloway also made one change as Andre Moritz was recalled in place of Owen Garvan, who dropped to the bench.

Dexter Blackstock headed an early chance wide for Forest before Murray opened the scoring.

Dean Moxey got to the byline, his low cross evaded everyone and Murray bundled the ball home at the far post.

Julian Speroni preserved Palace's lead in the 15th minute, sprawling to his right to tip Radoslaw Majewski's shot wide.

When Speroni was beaten by Sharp's diving header just before the half-hour mark, the post came to Palace's aid.

Forest were enjoying some good pressure and finally got themselves level at the end of the first half with a superb 25-yard shot from Reid that flew across Speroni and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Wilfried Zaha came close to putting Palace back in front at the start of the second half but his shot fizzed across goal and narrowly missed the far post.

At the other end, Speroni continued his good afternoon with another fine save to keep out Chris Cohen at the near post.

The Argentinian was at it again midway through the second half, this time pushing away Danny Collins' header.

Murray got his second goal of the game with a superb 81st-minute header.

Yannick Bolasie's far-post cross looked to have evaded Murray, but the striker somehow generated enough power to loop the ball back across goal, over goalkeeper Lee Camp and into the back of the net.

It looked like giving Holloway's team their first win in five npower Championship matches but there was time for more late drama.