Darius Henderson was the man who stopped a run of defeats with his equaliser 10 minutes from time at the Riverside Stadium, shortly after he had arrived on the field of play as a substitute.
Having enjoyed two third of the possession the goal was nothing more than Forest deserved as they fight to maintain a play-off spot in the Championship.
Mustapha Carayol had put hosts Middlesbrough in front eight minutes after half-time.
Doncaster Rovers now visit the City Ground this weekend, the South Yorkshire side in good spirits after securing a second home win in succession on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory against Watford thanks to Billy Sharp's 90th minute winner.