The Lions avoided a third defeat in a row by stifling an in-form Forest side whose automatic promotion prospects took a slight knock.
The match started in a cauldron of noise at The New Den and it was the hosts who started the brighter.
Hameur Bouazza's direct running caused problems and he lashed a fierce effort just over the bar inside the opening 10 minutes.
Forest went close in the 23rd minute when Chris Gunter drilled in a low cross which was just out of the reach of Joel Lynch at the back post.
Robert Earnshaw was introduced late on with Billy Davies urging his side forward in search of their 10th win in 14 matches.
Yet both sides had to settle for a point, just as they did in the reverse fixture, but the Lions now have their work cut out to make the play-offs.
Forest, meanwhile, still have their sights set on a top-two finish but will need to show more prowess in front of goal if they are to achieve their aim.
Source: PA
Source: PA