United's run of league matches without a victory was extended to six by an epic stalemate at Elland Road last night, but McAllister believed signs of revival were evident in the persevering performance which earned Leeds their valuable point.

Jermaine Beckford converted an 83rd-minute penalty to head off a fourth defeat in six matches after Julian Bennett's header had given Forest a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes of the match remaining.

The striker's spot-kick provided a satisfactory end to the first of two crucial matches in the space of five days – the second a visit to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday – and the energy shown in United's performance was a notable improvement on the lacklustre displays which have come alongside their mediocre results since Christmas.

McAllister said: "I felt at times that our quality could have been better, but there were definite signs of desire and bravery to get our foot on the ball and to pass it.

"We were a goal down with minutes to go so I'm pleased that the boys kept going. We know it's another two points that have slipped away and we've now got 14 games left, but I feel that there's a nice honesty about the place. People are joining in with what we're trying to achieve.

"We're trying to get the ball down and pass and at the same time play winning football, but the players will go for it.

"There are a lot of points to play for and there's a lot up for grabs. That carrot is massive.

"We need to go to Doncaster and win. These are two points we've dropped at home and we have to try and get them back away from home."

Doncaster produced a 2-0 victory over insolvent Bournemouth last night, moving League One's second automatic promotion position further beyond United's reach.

Leeds will cut Rovers' advantage over them to seven points with a win at the Keepmoat Stadium this weekend, but Doncaster have a game in hand and last night's draw was another indication that McAllister's players are competing solely for a play-off position.

United had lost three times at Elland Road in 2008, but Beckford's penalty – taken under pressure before a crowd of almost 30,000 – limited the damage caused by a frantic contest against another side who seem destined for the play-offs.

McAllister acknowledged Beckford's calm finish, saying: "I didn't miss that, as somebody who took penalties over the years and who missed them and scored them. He was on the ball right away and that's good to see.

"I mentioned in the week that Forest and Leeds United shouldn't be in the division and the crowd proved that. Forest brought a big support and our home support was fantastic.

"We switched off on occasions and we're in that little position of trying to improve the performance but getting the three points as we go along. It's getting that fine balance.

"It was a decent match for a League One game. There were a few little things that I felt the linesmen and the referee missed but we got a penalty. Forest will say we were a bit lucky but I feel that we could have had two or three.

"I don't know if either of us were 100 per cent happy, but a draw might have been a fair result."

United had two earlier claims for a penalty turned away by referee Mark Halsey, who ignored two cases of hand ball.

Beckford's goal was his 17th of the season, but the striker will miss Saturday's crucial visit to Doncaster due to a one-match ban.

Leeds also have a slight doubt over midfielder Bradley Johnson who has carried a rib injury through their last two matches, but Neil Kilkenny should be fit to play.