Gilardino flicked aheader over the bar from a promising position and Serginho fired in a shot at the nearpost which the keeper pushed away as Milanstarted toimpose themselves on proceedings.
They should have taken the lead with the first real attempt on goal just before the half-hour mark when Troy Brown's header from Leadbitter's cross was excellently tipped over the bar by Forest keeper Lee Camp.
Cole's dismissal had come shortly after a Glen Johnson shot had been tipped over the bar by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia and an Ngog header from a Gerrard corner had been cleared off the line by Gael Clichy.
Ledley King marked his first England appearance for three years by heading them into an early lead and Peter Crouch kept up his outstanding international scoring record by scrambling home for his 21st goal in 38 appearances before the interval after Wayne Rooney saw his header turned on to the bar by Mexico keeper Oscar Perez.