IT was an understandably strange afternoon at Nottingham Forest - but it wasn't one which ended with a home win, as perhaps the script would've suggested.

Although had it done so, Watford manager Sean Dyche wouldn't have had any complaints. While he stopped a little short of saying the home side deserved to win, he felt the Hornets' hard-earned point was down more to the players' resolve and fight than any other attribute.

"We found it tough going today," conceded Dyche.

"Forest made a number of changes and seemed charged by the occasion. It was an emotional afternoon, for obvious reasons, so I don't think we could have been coming to The City Ground on a more difficult day this season.

"We weren't at our best for large parts of the game today," Dyche added. "But there were still periods - like just before half-time leading up to our goal - when I felt we more than played our part."

Captain John Eustace hit the bar with a half-volley at the end of a flowing move towards the end of the second half, but it was Forest who had the lion's share of the chances after half-time.

"We had to weather plenty of pressure after half-time. But all credit to the players. It's a big ask to show consistency of performance in every single game. So if the level drops a bit, it's great to see that fighting spirit come through and make sure we take something from a game."

The Watford manager was asked if he felt the occasion, given the passing of Forest owner Nigel Doughty, was a factor in his team's performance.

"No, not at all. It's not right for me to bring those two things together. We fell below what I would call our normal quality, although I must stress that our fans that were here today would have seen no lack of effort at all.

"As I said, today was a particularly difficult afternoon to be at The City Ground.

"To be coming away with a draw, having had to fight really hard for everything we've got, is I think a good return for our efforts today."