Bristol City's search for a first Championship win of 2024 goes on after they were held to a 2-2 draw at Coventry City on Tuesday night.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto put the hosts in front midway through the first half, before Rob Dickie headed the Robins level on the stroke of half-time.
Nahki Wells struck inside the final 10 minutes of the match for what looked like the winner, but the visitors surrendered their lead immediately when Ellis Simms tapped home at the other end.
The result sees Liam Manning's side remain in 13th place, six points off the Sky Blues in 6th.
It was a quick start from the visitors, Sam Bell cut inside and struck wide on his left foot before Jason Knight’s low effort was scuffed into the hands of Bradley Collins.
But Coventry were soon to hit back, as Callum O’Hare and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto began to link up on the right flank.
The Robins’ response was good, and Liam Manning’s side began to control proceedings once more.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s dipping longshot was pawed away by Collins as Anis Mehmeti looked a threat on the left-hand side.
The groans around the stadium could be heard as the home faithful grew frustrated at their team’s display, but Sakamoto struck against the run of play to get the home support back on side at the half-hour mark.
Jake Bidwell’s looping cross was half cleared by Rob Dickie, but the ball landed at the feet of the Japanese man, who swivelled and prodded a low effort into the bottom corner of Max O’Leary’s goal.
The hosts looked set to take a narrow lead into the break, but Dickie had something to say about that.
Gardner-Hickman’s brilliant cross was met by the big defender, who delicately guided the ball into the net off Collins’ left-hand post.
Both teams were unable to get into any rhythm for the opening 15 minutes of the second period, as the game became scrappy.
The Robins introduced Tommy Conway, Ross McCrorie and Matty James to try and gain control of the match again but were unable to record any consistent spells of pressure.
Both sides went in search of a late winner, and it was the visitors who struck in the 83rd minute.
A loose ball was flicked forward by Conway, and the ball fell to Wells, whose first-time effort arrowed into the bottom corner of Collins’ goal.
But the action wasn’t over, and just two minutes later Coventry drew level.
Liam Kitching’s long-range effort was pushed back out by O’Leary and Simms reacted the quickest to poke into an empty net.
The hosts gained the upper hand again and looked the most likely to find a winner at the death, but both sides settled for a point a piece.
Here’s how the Robins fared…
1. Max O'Leary - 5
Had little chance with the opening goal as he had multiple bodies in his line of vision and was left with no time to react but will be disappointed that he didn’t do better with Kitching’s effort which led to the equaliser.
2. George Tanner - 6
The defender had a quiet game on the right side of the back three but didn’t make any glaring errors. Had a few tough tests up against Kasey Palmer but dealt with the attacker well.
3. Zak Vyner - 7
Was assured in his defending and progressive on the ball. Read the danger before it happened on several occasions.
4. Rob Dickie - 8
Met Gardner-Hickman’s cross with a perfectly weighted flick on that flew into the back of the net off the post to equalise. Picked out some clever forward passes and didn’t look in trouble defensively, was composed when put under pressure and never panicked. Maybe could’ve reacted quicker for the late equaliser when Simms anticipated the rebound ahead of him.