Deeney's equaliser for the Hornets cancelled out McCleary's opener to leave the home side five points adrift of safety in the Championship.
Steve Cotterill handed debuts to defensive loan trio Wootton, Higginbotham and Elokobi in the first game played since the shock death of Forest owner Nigel Doughty.
Reaction to follow on Forest Mad.
Source: FOOTYMAD
