'Frustrating' - Liam Manning on Huddersfield draw, late penalty drama and his key Bristol City performer

Liam Manning criticised Bristol City’s sloppiness in their 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town but gave his players credit for battling until the end to snatch a late equaliser.

Josh Koroma fired home from close range with 10 minutes to play after good work by Jack Rudoni on the right flank.

Nahki Wells drew the host’s level in the dying moments of stoppage time after Ollie Turton was adjudged to have handled Cam Pring’s cross.

“It was a little bit too sloppy, we turned it over too cheaply and we were a little too passive with the ball,” Manning said.

“A tough game, a frustrating game, but big credit to the players for sticking at it and fighting to the end.

“It’s about the balance of the performance against the outcome of the game. The lads are pretty flat because they know a lot of the performance was on us, but they are quite honest with themselves, it’s a new experience for the group and scoring that late on to take something from the game was good.”

At half-time, City had failed to register a shot on the visiting goal, as the Robins struggled to forge any real openings.

He continued: “The first half was just too passive, with the ball and with our running, the basic stuff like when you have an unforced error, don’t follow it up with another one, make sure you get back in when they’re pressing don’t be afraid to spin them and try and hurt them that way.

“I thought we started the second half ok, there was more purpose, more intent and we engaged a little bit higher. It was a bit of a low-level quality game for me.”

The Robins continued to struggle in their search for a goal and it took a handball in the 98th minute to provide the chance to draw level.

“For me, it was really difficult to see, I haven’t actually watched it yet so I'll have a look back,” the Robins boss said.

“It’s one of those, it’s tough for them, we’ve had a couple at Millwall and Norwich conceding late, at this stage of the season it’s tough.”

Despite the underwhelming result and performance against the Championship strugglers, the manager was delighted with one man’s performance.

George Tanner stepped into the central role in the back three due to Zak Vyner and Rob Dickie’s absences, the right-back had a tough test up against the physical Delano Burgzorg, but coped admirably.

“We had to make a last-minute change after losing Zak, so we lined up with a makeshift back line. Huge credit to George Tanner in the middle of the back three, he dealt with a player who’s quite a handful, I think he did a really good job on him,” the manager said.

“I love him, I think he’s been great. He dealt with it very well, I think back to some of the games he’s played, he’s played against some of the best wingers in the league and has done a terrific job every time.

“Against Sunderland, he did a great job against Jack Clarke, today against Burgzorg who’s a handful, quick and strong. I think George did a great job of winning a lot of the duels with him.”