Bristol City were held to a frustrating draw against Championship relegation candidates Hull City at Ashton Gate on Saturday, March 8, which saw the Robins miss the chance to go level with the play-off places on goal difference.
The visitors started the strongest of the two sides, and found themselves in the lead after 13 minutes through Brazilian striker Joao Pedro. Bizarrely, the forward then received a red card just over a minute later for a late two-footed challenge on City defender George Tanner.
Liam Manning’s side levelled the game through an Anis Mehmeti penalty after 54 minutes, and constantly threatened the Yorkshire outfit’s defence in search for a winner, but were unable to score against their 10-man opposition from open play.
After falling slightly behind Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, the two main contenders for the final two play-off spots, the Reds need results against Sheffield United (March 11) and Norwich City (March 14) to keep in touch with the top six.
City captain Jason Knight believes his side can make a challenge for a play-off spot.
“It’s early doors and there is still ten games to go but we’re certainly in amongst it aren’t we? We’ve just got to keep going, there’s definitely belief.
“It’s all positive. We’ve just got to keep going, keep moving on. We’re going to try and get a good result against Sheffield United,” he said.
“It is definitely frustrating to leave points behind in a game that you think you should’ve won.”
The BS3 side found it challenging to beat Ivor Pandur in the Hull goal, and to break down the visitors’ low block, after Pedro picked up the early red card.
25 shots were sent Pandur’s way, with 10 hitting the target, but the goalkeeper made eight saves, and saw his back line get in the away of a further six.
“It is tough when they’ve got 10 men behind the ball, it’s hard to break down,” Knight said
“But I think we got into numerous good opportunities around their box, and behind their back that we could have made the most of with the extra quality. It’s frustrating, as you say, but it just wasn’t the day for us today.”
Knight and the Robins’ full focus will now be on tonight’s clash with second place Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
“It’s going to be a tough game for sure. They’re obviously in a good line of form as well, but we had a good game against them here at home as well, we led for quite a long time.
“We know we can match them for large periods. We’ve just got to go up there and perform the same,” he said.
Bristol City take on the huge challenge of facing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane tonight at 8pm, you can watch along on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7:30pm.
