AFTER a week of intense debate about the causes and consequences of Bolton’s staggering financial losses and incomprehensible level of debt, it was a welcome relief to get back to the football.

Ironically, it was a game against a team that has been through the doldrums and according to their fans, ‘can now spend what they want’.

Dougie Freedman sprang his usual surprises bringing back Jay Spearing and Mark Davies for the unlucky Medo and Chris Eagles, and going for two up front again.

The teams were well matched in the first half with Bolton squandering numerous chances to score and Andy Lonergan pulling off a fantastic save to deny Jamal Lascelles with his close-range header.

The Bolton defence was caught napping at the start of the second half when Jamie Paterson was allowed to run through and put Forest one up.

We might be short of cash these days but we’re not short on spirit and we came roaring back.

We had Forest on the ropes for most of the second half.

The deserved equaliser came when Andre Moritz showed the rest how to deliver a free kick, right on to Matt Mills’ head.

Forest did everything they could to stop Bolton as their bookings and time-wasting mounted and they nearly snatched it late on when Darius Henderson hit the post and Lonergan superbly saved the follow up from Andy Reid.

It was a good performance against one of the top teams, who had thrashed us earlier in the season.

However, it was another two points dropped meaning any faint hopes of a play-off place are fast receding.

But that is of small concern given our perilous financial position.

Despite reassurances for the immediate future, the debt is a millstone around our necks and with no obvious boost to our income, the optimistic outlook is that it will get worse before it gets better.

We’re in a battle for survival which will severely restrict any money available for investment in players and undoubtedly test Dougie’s budding managerial skills.