IF Billy Davies had felt the need to 'think long and hard' about including Robert Earnshaw in his starting line-up in the grey surrounds of the north-east, then by the time next weekend rolls around, the Nottingham Forest manager may have given himself a significant headache as he ponders the same decision all over again.

The Scottish manager had insisted the only reason he didn't hand the Welsh international his third league start of the season was because he was loath to change the formula that had guided his side through their unbeaten run away from home this season.

But, if Davies wants to transform a run of four successive draws into a victory when Doncaster Rovers visit the City Ground on Saturday, then the striker could well be an integral figure.

There is no questioning the fact that, under Davies' influence, Forest have become one of the hardest sides to beat outside of the Premiership.

Their record of just three defeats this season is identical to the quartet of sides who make up the top four of the table, in West Brom, Newcastle, Leicester and Swansea.

But the reason Forest trail eight points behind the table-topping Baggies was perfectly illustrated in the blustery atmosphere of the Riverside Stadium.

Even during a first half in which Forest had incurred the wrath of their manager with a lacklustre, disjointed display, they rarely looked like conceding a goal.

The fourth minute strike from Leroy Lita, in fact, was significant in the sense that it came in the split second following the only real save of the game that Lee Camp had to make, as he parried a drive from Julio Arca, with the Boro striker handily poised to lash home the loose ball.

But, while a Forest side transformed by a half time ear bashing were almost entirely dominant after the break, it required a moment of magic from Earnshaw for them to finally make the breakthrough that their supremacy had merited.

A rare moment of first half creativity from Forest, courtesy of the industrious and highly effective Dele Adebola, had sent David McGoldrick racing clean through, only for Brad Jones to make a smart save.

And immediately after the break, the rampant Reds should have had a penalty when Emanuel Pogatetz handled a rising shot from Joe Garner – who later saw a second effort flash narrowly wide.

There has been much talk recently about Boro winger Adam Johnson, who is reportedly the target for numerous Premiership clubs in the January transfer window. But Johnson was not even the best winger on the pitch, never mind the best winger in the Championship, as his efforts were eclipsed by the lively, tireless Paul Anderson.

Anderson's short-falling continues to be his final delivery, which often fails to match the quality of what has gone before it, as frustratingly demonstrated by a searing surge down the left flank that saw him outpace the Boro defence before cutting into the box, only to see Jones deny him the goal his previous efforts had deserved.

But that should not gloss over a performance that saw him constantly torment full back Rhys Williams, who must have had plenty of experience at chasing flying wingers from his time on the training ground facing Johnson.

With Anderson flying and Forest finally having rediscovered the sense of urgency and sharpness that has become their trademark this season, they could and should have leveled long before substitute Earnshaw stepped up to bend an unstoppable free-kick precisely inside the post in the 74th minute.

And that remains their Achilles heal. Because they also could and, arguably, should have returned from the rain-sodden corner of Teesside with a full quota of three points, rather than just the one.

It is unfair to be overly critical, after witnessing Forest extend their unbeaten away run and their current unbeaten run overall to nine games. Considering the events of last season, when they escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, this is a club that has come a long way.

Their progression has been commendable.

But, as Earnshaw himself testified, there remains the feeling that there is more to come from Forest; they are not yet playing to their full potential.

Because Saturday was not the first occasion when they have failed to capitalise on their authority. In recent weeks alone, they might have snatched all three points at Cardiff and they had the opportunities to condemn Bristol City to defeat in their last outing at the City Ground, before the visitors produced a late equaliser.

A point away at Boro is an entirely respectable result, against one of the sides that will be among the promotion contenders come the end of the season. But the final whistle still arrived with the 3,000 odd travelling fans left to begin the return journey while contemplating what might have been.

Afterwards, a fit again Earnshaw was in deservedly confident spirits, insisting that chances remain the critical factor; predicting that if Forest can continue to carve out two or three quality openings per game, the run of four consecutive draws will soon again evolve into another run of victories.

With top scorer Dexter Blackstock returning from an injury problem of his own and Adebola having produced the kind of hard working, determined performance that can often go unappreciated, Davies has plenty of options to consider when it comes to pondering how to ensure that transformation comes about.

But, at Championship level, there are few more efficient goal scorers than a hungry, in-form Earnshaw.

And, on the evidence of Saturday afternoon, the compact front-man is certainly not short of appetite.