Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell needs to get his misfiring strikers on track or his side is in danger of falling well off the Championship pace.

Four games into the season and none of his three strikers - Michael Ricketts, Brian Deane or Julian Joachim - have hit the target.

He rotated his front men once again against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, pairing Deane with Joachim but the switch could not engineer victory over Nottingham Forest.

Another 30,000 plus Elland Road crowd saw their side earn a point from a 1-1 draw from Joe Kinnear's side but the lack of a killer punch up front is leaving them short handed in terms of points.

The Leeds goal came midway in the first half when Forest's defence failed to cut out Frazer Richardson's cross from the right and Guppy headed the ball low past Paul Gerrard at the far post.

Leeds were worth their lead at that stage, having fashioned several dangerous moments in and around the Forest box.

But the failure to tuck away their chances cost Leeds dear when Guppy turned from hero to villain with 12 minutes remaining. He needlessly attempted to challenge Paul Evans in the box, mistimed his tackle and Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid, whio is being chased by Charlton and Tottenham, converted from the spot.

From the restart Joachim wriggled through the Forest defence and had only Gerrard to beat. But the goalkeeper, whom Leeds had tried to sign in the summer, got down low to make a fine save.

Although Forest had played the smoother football their dangerman David Johnson had been well shackled by Paul Butler and debut defender Clarke Carlisle and it was Leeds who continued to make more openings.

However, they were out of touch in front of goal - Deane's downward header from Jermaine Wright's corner bouncing over the bar being symptomatic of their afternoon.

Blackwell said: "If I'm going to be critical we didn't take the chances.

"We had a long chat in the dressing room afterwards and we are bitterly disappointed not to have taken three points which I thought we deserved.

"But if you don't take your chances Forest are always a side that can get a goal.

"Having said that, I would like to see the penalty looked at again before I make a real decision but I would not have expected to get that away from home.

"I'm pleased with them all. Six weeks ago I had two names on a piece of paper - (Gary) Kelly and (Michael) Duberry.

"We created enough chances, played with a bit of flair, we played with passion, we put our foot in where it mattered.

"I've got a job to do here. I've got to try to get two or three players in but I've got to get the right ones.

"The lads have been together five or six weeks, so all credit to them. I am very proud of them."

The Coca-Cola Championship (at Elland Road)

Leeds United 1, Nottingham Forest 1

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Carlisle, Crainey, Richardson, Wright, Pugh, Guppy (Walton 79) Deane (Ricketts 81), Joachim (McMaster 80) Subs (not used): Carson, Kilgallon. Caution: Deane. Goal: Guppy 25

Nottingham Forest: Gerrard, Louis-Jean, Hjelde, Morgan, Rodgers, Impey, Jess (King 73), Evans, Reid, Taylor, Johnson. Subs (not used): Roche, Doig, Commons, Robertson. Cautions: Evans, Rogers, Reid Goal: Reid pen 78.

Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria) Att: 31,808

Updated: 09:50 Monday, August 23, 2004