Bristol City extended their post-Easter unbeaten run to a sixth game with one of the best overall performances of the season in drawing 1-1 at Norwich City.
The scoreline did not reflect the balance of the game as it was the Robins who will not only feel deeply frustrated they were able to take only one of the many chances they created but that Borja Sainz’s equaliser should have been flagged for offside.
After Mark Sykes had spurned an early 1vs1, Scott Twine hit the crossbar and Tommy Conway also twice nearly beat Angus Gunn, City took the lead in the 55th minute through Haydon Roberts’ first goal for the club.
Parity was restored three minutes later went Josh Sargent was sent clear but the American elected to pass to Sainz to his left, taking Max O’Leary out of the equation, and presenting his teammate with an open goal but the winger was clearly ahead of the striker with no defender in between.
City protested to no avail but could and should have still won the game when Gunn pulled off a double save to deny Conway and then Twine, while Harry Cornick also converted Joe Williams late free-kick but he was adjudged to be offside, a decision Liam Manning didn’t agree with after the game.
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That's all from us this evening
We have a train to catch! Thanks for reading and we'll be back tomorrow with more reaction from Carrow Road.
If you've made the trip to Norfolk, we wish you a safe trip home!
Liam Manning's reaction
The City head coach dissects the Robins performance, with pride but also frustration in the dressing room.
Just spoke to Liam Manning
Quotes are on the way but, for the record, the City head coach felt Harry Cornick was denied a goal at the end. In his eyes, it wasn't offside.
Player ratings
Joe Williams, Jason Knight and Haydon Roberts: all excellent. The rest can also hold their heads up high.
Full-time! Norwich 1-1 Bristol City
A very, very fine display by the Robins, maybe even the best of Manning's time in charge, with the frustration being that it was only a point because, my word, did City have some chances in that game!
The unbeaten run continues! Reaction on its way.
Norwich corner
Maybe one last try for the hosts as Pring slides in to deny Stacey a chance at crossing.
Gunn saves from Wells
TGH's corner found it's way to Roberts at the far post who, with his back to goal, teed up Wells but the shot lacked power.
City corner
TGH rolls Mehmeti down the right and he takes aim with a defender making a block.
City have it in the net...
But it's offside! Cornick got across his man to stab in Williams free-kick but he must have been a yard or so offside because there were zero complaints as the flag went up.
Quick free-kick nearly finds Roberts
Wells is fouled and City try to take it quickly but the referee calls it back.
Here comes TGH
It's his first appearance since West Brom prior to the international break as he takes the place of McCrorie.
City changes
Nahki Wells and Harry Cornick join the action for Tommy Conway and Scott Twine. Both have had good games.
Well played, Cam Pring
Sara is a class player and he very nearly angles a pass perfectly into the path of Stacey but Pring read it all the way and made a vital interception.
Norwich can't get out
The natives are getting very, very restless as City have them penned in their own half.
Mehmeti shot charged down
Norwich got themselves in all kinds of trouble there, giving it away cheaply to Conway who set Mehmeti away.
He was a little crowded for space but got a shot away but it cannoned off a defender and out of harm's way for the hosts.
Stacey shoots over the bar
Comfortably so after a Sainz cross was headed away by Dickie and into his path.
The ball flies over the bar
Brilliant feet by Mehmeti down the right as he gets to the byline and sends in a cross which deflects off a defender and up over the bar.
From the corner, Gunn collects at his near post.
That chance
A McCrorie header at the far post caused chaos with Gunn diving to meet Conway and the ball finding its way back to Twine who shot first time.
On reflection his shot was a little too central and close to Gunn but it was stilla fine recovery save.
What a save by Gunn!
That was a certain goal and Scott Twine cannot believe how it's not gone in!
Gunn saves from Conway!
McCrorie slipped Sykes down the right and he fired a cross all the way to the far post where Twine then sent Conway into space but the striker was denied by Gunn, diving low to his right. Good save.
City back on the ball
They could really do with killing the atmosphere here because even Sande Duffy is doing back-heels at the moment.
O'Leary denies Rowe
City need to weather this storm a bit as that goal has the crowd up.
Dickie initially clears but he played into no-man's lead with Sargent then passing into Rowe who initially looked to have lost it but got a shot away and O'Leary tipped it behind for a corner.
Wells winding up the home fans
Nahki Wells is warming up just down to my left and he must have reacted to that goal as he's now being subjected to several unsavoury chants.
More on the goal
It was a defence-splitting through ball by Sara which was into the path of Sargent who was through on O'Leary.
Instead of shooting though he elected to play it square to Sainz who had a tap-in but personally I thought the winger was offside. The flag stayed down the referee saw no reason to consult his assistant.
