Bristol City latest (From Gazette Series)

Bristol City latest

10:41am Thursday 13th March 2008 in Sport By Gazette reporter

0-0 HAS been an uncommon score line during Gary Johnson's reign as Bristol City manager. But Johnson and City fans alike have had to endure two no-score games on the bounce following fixtures against struggling Leicester City and promotion hopefuls Watford.

Last Saturday City, backed by over 3,000 travelling fans, made the trip to Leicestershire to face Ian Holloway's Leicester City at the Walkers Stadium. In a remarkable game both sets of fans were left wondering how exactly neither team scored. Leicester in particular missed numerous gilt-edged chances and should've really ran out winners.

The chances came thick and fast in the first half. The Foxes' Steve Howard missed two headed chances and Iain Hume also had two golden chances, one of which was saved well by Adriano Basso in the City goal.

Just before half time Basso was forced to parry another Hume shot, the ball fell to Kelvin Etuhu who could only skew his effort wide from close range.

The second half proved to be even more frantic. Howard had a header cleared off the line by Liam Fontaine just before City's Marvin Elliott broke through on goal only to see his shot rebound off the inside of the post.

On 64 minutes City went closer still. Brian Wilson dribbled the ball from inside his own half before unleashing a thunderous drive from 25 yards that hit the underside of the bar and bounced off the goal line. Replays are inconclusive as to whether the ball crossed the line.

There was still time left for Fontaine to make another goal line clearance from Matty Fryatt. Basso too was called into action at the death making a fine save from Matt Oakley.

Tuesday's encounter with Watford at Ashton Gate proved to be more uneventful but no less enthralling as first in the league met third.

In a match full of passion Basso saved brilliantly from a first half penalty awarded to Watford after Michael McIndoe was adjudged to have tripped Tommy Smith in the area. Darius Henderson stepped up confidently but Basso saved one handed to his left.

Henderson took his frustration out on Lee Johnson moments later when he went in late on City's midfield dynamo, the former Gillingham striker escaping with a caution.

Both sides had chances in a tense second half but in truth this was a match in which both defences came out on top.

City need to get back to winning ways this Saturday with a win against Plymouth Argyle following three consecutive draws.

The Pilgrims currently lie in 7th position in the Championship table and are very much in with a chance of a play-off position.

Indeed Argyle are sure to be a tough nut to crack under Paul Sturrock. Their away form this season has been decent winning 7 drawing 3 and losing 9.

Another bumper crowd of 18,000+ is expected at Ashton Gate for this West country derby that promises to be another fascinating encounter.