"Disappointment weighs heavier than the thought of how well we competed tonight," told BBC Tees.
"They did OK, they have to accentuate the positives and that's what's required from them every week."
Mowbray added: "We are looking over our shoulders still of course, but as long as we win three or four more games it's really about performance level for the team and where we want to be next season."
Boro were dominant at the Riverside, having swamped Forest in terms of chances with 11 shots on target to the visitors' three, with Forest keeper Lee Camp in inspired form to deny Barry Robson, Tony McMahon and Julio Arca.
"Billy Davies [Forest boss] said we deserved to win the game, and he thought the goal might have been offside," Mowbray said.
"The team were fantastic, a great work-ethic to more than match a team with aspirations of getting out of this division.
"Teams only play as well as you allow them to play.
"We didn't allow them to play their open passing game, they've got talented individuals and we nullified them."
The point leaves Middlesbrough in 20th, six points clear of Scunthorpe who occupy the final relegation place, with 37 points.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport