Colin Calderwood's side had hoped to register three back-to-back wins for the first time this season in League One and had been on course to do so after Lewis McGugan's spectacular free-kick had put them ahead in the 33rd minute.
But Steve Elliott's headed 63rd minute equaliser snatched a point for Rovers and left the home fans to boo their team off the pitch.
With rivals Southend United winning, it left Forest needing a win at high-flying Tranmere Rovers on Saturday to reassert their place in the top six.
A thumping header from Luke Chambers, the defender who had netted twice in his previous two matches, almost put Forest ahead early on, but keeper Steve Phillips was equal to it, palming acrobatically away to his left.
And it was Rovers who dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Rickie Lambert forcing a smart save from Paul Smith and Lewis Haldane lashing low and wide of the post after bursting beyond Chambers.
The best chance, however, fell to Lambert after David Pipe had seared down the right flank and cut the ball back enticingly into the striker's path, only for the normally ruthless Rovers frontman to fire wide.
Kris Commons had Phillips back in action at the other end with a teasing free-kick that was flying towards the top corner before the Rovers man swatted it away.
But the keeper could do little as, from a similar central position 20 yards from goal, Forest took the lead from another free-kick, this time struck by McGugan, that bent around the defensive wall and inside the keeper's left-hand upright.
Rovers were always in this match as they repeatedly threatened in wide positions, but it was Forest who almost extended their advantage before the interval, with Commons sending an acrobatic over-head kick narrowly wide.
Brett Ormerod was the first to threaten after the break, powering a low shot into the sidenetting.
But it was Rovers who were to strike next, to pull themselves level, from a neatly worked set-piece.
Skipper Stuart Campbell provided the delivery from the right and Elliott rose at the far post to head back across goal and inside the far post in the 63rd minute.
It could have been worse for the home side, as substitute Andy Williams powered a shot narrowly wide after being given too much time and space inside the penalty area.
Although Ormerod twice came close with headers, Garath McCleary saw a shot deflected narrowly wide and Chris Cohen's dipping shot was well held by Phillips.
And in injury time, Commons shot wildly over when presented with a great chance to claim all three points for Forest.