TOWN boss Andy Ritchie said he was proud of the way his side battled after being reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute.

The Galpharm team couldn’t prevent Kris Commons levelling for Forest nine minutes after Danny Cadamarteri’s goal and subsequent red card.

But they held out for a point and Ritchie said: “It was well earned, although with 11 on the pitch, we might well have won.”

It was only a second draw in 15 matches under Ritchie’s management, and he added: “We worked our socks off.

“There were some massive performances out there.

“The whole of the back four were magnificent, and Frank Sinclair merits special praise.

“He’s come back from injury to play two games in four days, so he deserves a couple off!”

Ritchie is hopeful Ronnie Wallwork will recover from a knock on the ankle in time for Saturday’s trip to Walsall.

But he’s less optimistic on fellow midfielder Michael Collins, who was forced off with an ankle injury after just nine minutes and left the ground on crutches.

“The doctor is worried there is some ligament damage, although it will probably take a scan to say for sure,” said the team chief.

“Hopefully Ronnie will be okay, because he’s come in and had a real calming influence.”

Wallwork was substituted in the 79th minute (Matt Young came on), meaning centre-back David Mirfin made a cameo appearance as a striker.

“We were going to move Malvin Kamara up front, but Ronnie coming off meant we wanted to keep Kammy in midfield,” said Ritchie.

“Bringing on Andy Booth for Luke Beckett would have been like for like, so we went with Mirf because we knew his extra bit of pace would stretch them.”