BRISTOL CITY grabbed a late equaliser at Ashton Gate against Middlesbrough on Saturday to ensure the spoils were shared in a thoroughly entertaining game, Will Collins.

Early kick offs that are televised can leave the atmosphere at stadiums a little flat, but both sets of supporters had plenty to get excited about in an open game in which neither team was afraid to go on the offensive.

Boro had the better of the early exchanges with Fletcher twice going close, including an effort that came off the near post. But City too had chances through Weimann and then Baker also hit the post following a header from an Eliasson cross.

Bentley did brilliantly to keep Assombalonga – who tormented the City defence all afternoon – out at the near post before City took the lead just before half-time. Another pin-point Eliasson cross was met by the head of Palmer who headed the ball down past Randolph in the Boro goal.

City started the second half brightly with Weimann again going close from a Hunt cross but the away side were growing into the game. On 64 minutes they equalised when McNair’s low cross into the 6 yard box was turned into the net by City’s Moore. The youngster couldn’t really have done anything about it.

The goal lifted Boro and just four minutes later they took the lead. Assombalonga was put through clean on goal and finished with a decisive effort across Bentley into the far post.

But this City side under Johnson has proved it has character and with just nine minutes left City got an all-important equaliser. Substitute O’Dowda dinked the ball into Rowe who glanced his header past Randolph with aplomb.

A draw was a fair result in an entertaining game, though City head coach Lee Johnson will probably prefer a less open approach to City’s next home game against current league leaders Swansea City.