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Ronnie Moore made one enforced change to the side which drew with Huddersfield, as John Achterberg made his first league start in goal since November 26th 2005, when Rovers drew 2-2 with Swansea, as the injured Gavin Ward dropped to the bench as a precaution.
Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges, as both sides kept it tight in their half of the field, with a win meaning so much to each side.
Nathan Tyson had the first real chance of the match, although his ambitious effort from long range deflected off Chris McCready and was an easy save for Achterberg.
Rovers had the next two chances, with skipper Shane Sherriff firing narrowly over on each occassion from inside the 6 yard box after corner's both found their way to the former Leeds player.
The ever threatening Kris Commons, who provided the cross from which Gareth Taylor scored in the same fixture last season, shot over from 25-yard after nearly half of the first half before Tyson smashed a header against the woodwork, with half the ground thinking the ball had crossed the line. From the follow up, the inform Nicky Southall shot wide of Achterberg's right-hand post.
Two minutes later came possibly one of the saddest sights of the season on the pitch, as John Achterberg collided was Nathan Tyson outside of his area. With Big John injured, Forest continued to play, with Chris McCready twice clearing off his own goal line.
When the ball eventually left the field of play, he recieved lengthy treatment from Les Parry. It was clear for everybody to see that the Dutchman was probably going to need to be substituted, but what was also clear was that John was so desperate to stay on.
He did everything he could to keep his place in the team, as he tried to run the injury [to his ankle] off aswell as making sure the ball didn't go out so no substitute could be made.
However, five minutes later in the 33rd minute Gavin Ward replaced Achterberg. The Rovers number 24 was clearly devistated, as he walked straight down the tunnel and appeared to by crying.
Ward himself was clearly not fully fit, as Rovers defenders Chris McCready and Ian Goodison were forced to take the Tranmere goal kick's for the remainder of the game.
However, Ward had nothing to do in the remaining 12 minutes of the half, with niether side having any chances before the referee blew his whistle for half time.
Ronnie Moore's half time team talk clearly worked a treet, as Gareth Taylor forced Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith into a fine save with a header after 47 minutes, before the striker opened the scoring against his old club two minutes later.
After some good work down the Tranmere left, Paul McLaren whipped in a perfect cross which was met by Gareth Taylor, who's header gave Smith absolutely no chance on it's way into the net.
It was indeed the second time in two meetings between the two sides that Gareth Taylor had given his side the lead infront of the Trent End with a header.
For the remainding 40 minutes or so, Forest piled on the pressure, with Rovers having to cope with all three of Junior Agogo, Nathan Tyson and Grant Holt upfront for Forest.
After Ward had punched a cross clear on 55 minutes, the ball fell to Nicky Southall who's long range effort rolled past Ward's right hand post.
Grant Holt headed wide on 59 minutes from a cross by former Tranmere loanee John Thompson whilst Ward was forced into another save down to his left when the ball would perhaps have gone out for a goal kick.
On 68-minutes, Carl Tremarco replaced Steve Davies on the left of midfield, with Rovers sticking to their 4-4-2 formation despite Forest's barrage of attacks.
Minutes later, it was the youngster's through ball onto which Chris Greenacre ran and curled just wide of Smith's post from long range, providing Tranmere with some light-relief and the defence time to take a breather.
As Rovers appeared to be with standing the pressure, just like Brighton away earlier in the season, the former European Champions found that equaliser, thanks to James Perch.
Employing the long-ball tactic, Junior Agogo got on the end of a flighted cross and layed the ball back to Perch who fired the ball through a "forest" of legs passed Ward who really had no chance.
A minute later, Chris McCready left the field and was replaced by Kevin Ellison due to a nose bleed. Ellison moved to left-midfield, with Tremarco dropping back to left-back and Shane Sherriff shifting into central defence with Ian Goodison, who himself hadn't looked 100% fit.
This was however the last exciting chance of the game, as although both sets of fans, 1143 of them from Tranmere, urged their team forward, niether side could find that killer blow.
Overall, Ronnie Moore must be pretty pleased with a point at The City Ground, as everybody in League One knows how well Forest have been playing this season.
However, this is indeed the third game running in which Rovers have surrendered a lead, after leading 2-0 against Gillingham and 2-1 against Huddersfield.
A special mention must go to John Achterberg, and his effort and willing to stay on despite his injury shows just how great a guy John is.
Everybody at Tranmere Rovers Mad wishes John a speedy recovery and hopes that someday in the future he will once again get that chance to be Tranmere number 1.
Jones' Man Of The Match: Although Shane Sherriff was much improved in defence and both Ian Goodison and Gareth Taylor gave strong performances, the main man pulling the strings for Rovers again was Paul McLaren. The former Rotherham player has his some fine form of late, with his tackling and passing proving a key factor for Rovers.