IT is a challenge unlike any other he has faced. A challenge that throws Billy Davies into unknown waters.

At Preston and Derby, he always had a nucleus of experienced players and even at Motherwell, he could call on a couple of seasoned professionals from the bench.

But at Nottingham Forest, he does not have that luxury. And with injuries to key players like Robert Earnshaw, Julian Bennett and Paul Anderson, he must feel he is swimming further against the tide.

The squad is skeletal. But Davies knew all about that when he arrived – he knew a couple more injuries could leave them bare and he knew the stance on developing young players.

Targets were identified to strengthen the squad, half a dozen of them. Players who he knew could do a job and would have lined up on Saturday against QPR.

For whatever reasons, after handing over his hit list, none were delivered before the window slammed shut.

Davies could have been forgiven for coming out shouting and screaming, as like the fans, he must have been frustrated at seeing no new faces arrive.

But he has not got time for that, he still has his biggest challenge to face – keeping Forest in the Championship.

So when striker Nathan Tyson suffered a nasty gash above the eye after 15 minutes on Saturday and had to be replaced by Adam Newbold, a youngster with just three substitute appearances, it was another test to face.add to the test.

The ravaged Reds responded by knuckling down and trying to force the issue. They rode their luck early on but 20-year-olds Joe Heath and Brendan Moloney came to the rescue with a stunning goal-line clearance apiece to deny Samuel Di Carmine and Matteo Alberti.

Near the end of the half, an inch-perfect ball in from Lewis McGugan to Luke Chambers saw the defender pulled at the back post by Alberti. McGugan fired Forest ahead from the spot, sending former Forest loan keeper Lee Camp the wrong way.

Davies has a thirst for learning, spending time at top clubs all over Europe after leaving his first job at Motherwell.

The same happened after leaving Derby and he has built up more expertise to draw on. One thing he has learned is that inconsistency and naivety are guaranteed with young players and he said the perfect example of that came straight after Forest took the lead.

They failed to see the game out to half time as Alberti made amends with a goal in the third-minute of stoppage time.

Matt Connolly got to the byline down the right, pulled a ball back and Alberti fired past Paul Smith.

And within two minutes of the second half starting, the Reds were behind. Alberti again, this time latching onto Wayne Routledge's flick on, holding off Moloney and clinically finishing.

After throwing away a two-goal lead against Derby to lose 3-2, Davies had every right to be concerned. A neat piece of skill saw Routledge outfox Heath down the flank, chipping over the full back's head but he then fired wide.

It could have been game over. It could have been a third defeat in a week, it could have sapped morale. But the let-off fired Forest and out of nothing the Reds grabbed an equaliser on 66 minutes.

Luke Chambers darted down the right, delivered a looping cross and Cohen jumped at the back post and steered his header into the opposite corner.

It was all square and suddenly Forest were on course for a sound point. Did they plan to throw it away? Not a chance.

Already lessons were learned from defeat to Derby and if they had shown character to get back into the game, they were to show even more to see it out.

QPR pressed but Forest stood firm. Wes Morgan, handed the captain's armband with James Perch injured, led by example.

In midfield Cohen was his tireless self as he led the charge to stifle everything. And when Garath McCleary came off the bench, he used his pace to stretch the play and unsettle defenders.

They defended corners with guts and when a QPR chance did arrive, on the head of Mikele Leigertwood, Smith pulled off a stunning one-handed save.

They came through a difficult test and showed the guts, effort and character that Davies has said will get them through.

But there is only so long such young players can churn out such performances to maintain the push to secure safety.

Players back from injury will help in the coming weeks. But in the meantime, Davies will be looking to identify the right players to join on loan.

This is a challenge like no other he has faced and at present, it is one he has to win with kids. But if Saturday's display is anything to go by, these young charges are proving they are more than capable of winning the battle for survival.