I HEARD somewhere last week that every point Nottingham Forest take is like a prisoner. And they need to round up as many prisoners as possible. A bit like it is said to some Scotsmen that every penny is like a prisoner. But in this case with Forest, it is points rather than pennies.

Well, that is exactly what they have to do. And against Barnsley, that was one more point on their way to safety.

For me it was a good point. It was a game they could not afford to lose, one they could have won.

But they have to take the positives. And they have inched a point closer to safety with five games to go.

It appears the two-week international break has done the Reds good. They have been allowed a few days off to spend with family and friends and recharge their batteries.

But they have also had vital, uninterrupted time on the training ground with boss Billy Davies.

Everybody knows it is a dogfight until the end and Davies has now had the chance to get his message across, his way of thinking across. He has instilled in them how to win that dogfight.

On Saturday, it was a more confident, assured performance. One where they not only battled but rattled their opponents.

The negative has to be in how they conceded straight after half-time, a lapse of concentration punished. If it was a one-off, you could maybe accept it. But it has happened too many times this season at the start of both halves.

It could have been over but Iain Turner pulled off a penalty save and Forest never looked back.

Robert Earnshaw rattled the bar and followed that up with a goal. From there, they could have wrapped it up for all three points.

But the players will be buzzing, their belief will definitely be there as they head into a crunch Easter period with Bristol City and Sheffield United in the space of three days.

Two tough games face them, of that there is no doubt. But they have to believe they can win them.

And Earnshaw is bubbling again, sharper and desperate to get his tally of goals to 20 for the season. He needs five more, one a game. Oh, how everyone would love that.

But with new recruit Dexter Blackstock alongside him, he will get more chances. No longer the little lone striker, Blackstock can put himself about, unsettle defenders and let Earnshaw pick up the bits. That is what he thrives on.

And as long as Blackstock makes a nuisance of himself, I don't care whether he scores or not. If he does that, Earnshaw will get chances and he will put them away.

The key factor in how Forest's season finishes is how they perform in their home games.

Bristol City, Coventry and Southampton on the last day. Produce the goods in them, you are safe.

And after the weekend's encouraging performance, the fans have to take confidence.

It was only a point – but a valuable point.

I would take a return of one win from the two Easter games. That will set them up with three very winnable games to finish the season.

The problem this season has been letting themselves down after an impressive performance. A failure to follow it up.

Now they must repeat their performance, if not better it, next Saturday against Bristol City.

It will go to the wire, as I have said all along. But fingers crossed, they have enough to secure their Championship status.