Ange Postecoglou was denied his first win as Nottingham Forest boss by a late Antony equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Real Betis in the Europa League.

Forest trailed 15 minutes into their first European match for 29 years after Cedric Bakambu’s opener but within eight minutes summer-signing Igor Jesus scored twice to put his side ahead and they could have gone in 4-1 up after a dominant first half.

Postecoglou replaced midfielder Douglas Luiz with forward Dilane Bakwa at the interval due to an injury concern and Forest ceded control to Betis who equalised with five minutes to go through former Manchester United winger Antony’s first goal of the season.

Victory slipped through Forest’s hands after a stunning first-half display, but they begin their European adventure with a big point in Spain. Postecoglou delivered the excitement we have come to expect from him in the first game of his Europa League defence.

There were signs of Angeball taking hold in Seville, but that first victory eludes him. He is the first permanent Forest boss not to win any of his opening four matches since 1947.

Ange explains Luiz substitution

When the Forest change was made at the break, it appeared as if Postecoglou was setting out to go after Betis after his side had cut the Spanish side open time after time.

However, he explained that the change, which ultimately cost Forest the three points, was enforced rather than a tactical decision.

“Douglas was feeling his hamstring, so we had to take him off,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.

On Forest losing control after the break, he added: “I guess that is what it looks like from the outside, but I really felt like we were still had control in the second half and don’t think we got opened up at any stage.”

Postecoglou was frustrated that his side were not out of sight at half-time, but was proud of his team’s performance in testing conditions.

“Difficult place to come, difficult conditions. People don’t realise the humidity out there, how energy sapping it is,” he said.

“Our football was outstanding in the first half, the only thing I could fault is we didn’t put them to bed. We should have finished them off in the first half.”

How Forest let victory slip away

Betis handed Forest a nightmare start on their return to Europe as Antony picked out Bakambu in the box and he fired into the roof of the net after being given too much space. Replays made him appear offside in the build-up, but the goal survived a VAR check.

Forest’s emphatic response to going a goal down was characterised by the performance of goalscorer Igor Jesus, who was signed from Brazilian club Botafogo for £10m in the summer.

The 24-year-old Brazil international scored two goals five minutes apart to turn the game in Forest’s favour after Bakambu’s opener to make him look like the bargain of the window for that price.

His first goal was set up by Morgan Gibbs-White’s low cross from the right. Betis defender Natan fell asleep as the striker darted in at the back post to level the score.

Igor Jesus then towered over the Betis defence from Luiz’s corner to put Forest in front. Forest felt like they would score with every attack that followed, but that crucial third goal evaded them.

Callum Hudson-Odoi had the best of the chances as he failed to put the ball in an empty net at the back post from a corner. Igor Jesus was there for the rebound but could not nudge the ball over the line, either.

The removal of Luiz at the break saw Gibbs-White come in to a central role after playing on the right for the first half. Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini made a triple change of his own and the game turned, with Forest suddenly outnumbered in central areas.

The Spanish side bossed the game though struggled to carve out clear-cut chances until late on when substitute Marc Roca found Antony at the back post with a cross. He fired back across goal with a clever finish, leaving Forest keeper Matz Sels with no chance.

The former Manchester United winger ended the night with a goal and an assist to deny Forest a dream start on their return to Europe.

Analysis: Igor Jesus making case to displace Wood

Chris Wood’s status as Forest’s first-choice striker came into question when Postecoglou took over from Nuno Espirito Santo. There was an expectation in some quarters that he would prefer a more mobile striker, but Wood has kept his place in the league so far.

It would have been harsh to displace last season’s surprise package after his 20-goal return in the league. There was no pressing reason for Postecoglou to change. Now Igor Jesus is banging on the door with more than just one.

The Brazilian has scored twice in each of his first starts. Perhaps you could overlook it against Championship Swansea in the Carabao Cup, but not in his European debut. No other player has achieved that feat in Forest’s history.

Igor Jesus offered so much more than his goals in Seville and it told when he was replaced by fellow summer-signing Arnaud Kalimuendo. Forest lost their presence up top, which only helped Betis get back into the game.

It will be hard for Postecoglou to drop him for Saturday’s home game against Sunderland in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports. The coach needs a win, and Igor Jesus looks the most likely player to deliver it.