Bristol City player ratings: ‘Assertive’ - Three score 7/10 in Huddersfield draw

Bristol City survived a late scare as they battled to a goalless draw with basement-side Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night.

Both sides had opportunities to go in front with the Robins having their fair share of chances in the first-half, with Sam Bell, Mark Sykes, Cam Pring and Andy King all going close. The Terriers had their own chances and a goal-line clearance from Andi Weimann ensured that City would not be returning to Ashton Gate empty handed.

The Robins end their two-game losing run with the draw, overtaking Hull City to go 13th, and are now two points off of the top-half of the Championship. Huddersfield are six points adrift of safety after the draw with their relegation rivals Wigan Athletic losing to West Brom.

An uncharacteristic period of nervousness crept in for City, as Zak Vyner’s header forced Max O’Leary to come out to punch, and after first winning the ball, he caught Danny Ward on the follow-up. with the home supporters calling for a penalty. City had their own spot-kick appeal turned down with Mark Sykes barged by Josh Ruffels from Sam Bell’s cross.

Bell’s positive start continued but he had his head in his hands as he was picked out expertly by George Tanner but he hooked his close-ranged effort over the bar in a quick counter-attacking attacking move.

Ten minutes from half-time, there were three glorious chances to open the scoring, but the ball was somehow kept out of the net. Sykes forced Tomas Vaclik into the first save of the game after Alex Scott’s cross and then from the resulting corner, Cam Pring’s header was saved and then Andy King missed from two-yards out. Despite dominating the first period, they could not break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

In the second-half Sykes went on a marauding run and travelled at speed but as soon as he reached the box, he slowed down and his shot deflected easily in to Vaclik’s hands. Huddersfield then had a chance to go in front but substitute Josh Koroma could only navigate his shot past the post rather than inside it.

The introduction of Anis Mehmeti brought a spark to City’s attack and he nearly contributed to a breakthrough with his cross headed on to the bar by Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg. Up the other end, former transfer target Jack Rudoni had two opportunities to beat O’Leary, first forcing him in to a save and then curling a shot over the bar.

Huddersfield nearly snatched a win late on with Andi Weimann having to clear off of the line with a flicked header, then Rudoni’s shot was blocked by O’Leary’s leg.

Max O’Leary - 6

Not made to do much, but there was a moment in which he and Vyner could have opened the door for Huddersfield. He made a superb save to deny Rudoni late on.

George Tanner - 6

Good pass to pick out Sam Bell who perhaps should have put his shot away.

Zak Vyner - 6

A few nervy moments early on and he’s had better games but at least it’s another clean sheet. Put his body in the way late on.

Cam Pring - 6

Despite moving to centre-back, Pring continued to venture forward and caused some problems for the Huddersfield defence.

Jay Dasilva - 6

The introduction of Koroma at half-time allowed Huddersfield to grow in the game with all the action coming down the left-hand side.

Matty James - 8

Worried a few when he clutched his ankle but put in a decent shift, breaking up play and trying to get his team forward. An assertive performance.

Andy King - 6

Covered for Pring when he wanted to go forward

Alex Scott - 7

A better performance from Saturday for sure, with the Guernsey Grealish going on brilliant solo runs and drawing cycnical fouls from the opposition.

Mark Sykes (subbed off, 76) - 6

Several half opportunities but no breakthrough for Sykes, who can feel satisfied with how he performed.

Nahki Wells (subbed off, 63) - 5

He didn’t receive the service he would have desired and failed to get any real chances of note.

Sam Bell (subbed off, 63) - 7

City’s best player of the first-half but he should have put his chance away when it came to him.

Anis Mehmeti (subbed on, 63) - 7

His introduction brought the game back in the swing of City and he had a few moments of promise.

Harry Cornick (subbed on, 63) - 6

Cornick did not have the desired effect for City when he replaced Wells in attack.

Andi Weimann (subbed on, 76) - N/A

Weimann replaced Sykes to freshen things up, and if it wasn’t for his header off of the line, they would have been on the losing side.