Play-off bound Bristol City player ratings as 9/10 'superman' shines in pulsating Preston draw

Liam Manning guided Bristol City into the Championship play-off places for the first time in 17 years on a day of high drama at Ashton Gate, Two goals from Ross McCrorie completed a stunning City comeback to secure a 2-2 draw and sixth place in the Championship table.

The Robins looked down and out after goals from Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic had given the relegation-threatened visitors a surprise lead. But up stepped Ross McCrorie who put away two quick-fire goals and extend Bristol City’s season.

Liam Manning made three changes from the heavy defeat away at Leeds United in what was billed as his date with destiny, with George Earthy, Haydon Roberts and Marcus McGuane dropping out and Scott Twine, Yu Hirakawa and Joe Williams replacing them.

Before and throughout the game Ashton Gate was raucous to try and give the robins every chance of securing a play off position. City started the game better and half chances from Hirakawa and Twine had the reds on top for the first 25 minutes. However, Preston won a corner after Zak Vyner deflection and when Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady crossed it in, it landed perfectly onto the head of Emil Riis who headed home to give the visitors the lead.

Riis’s 12th goal of the season meant that the visitors had the lead heading into halftime with Bristol City struggling to carve out any big chances. In the second half, a better performance was needed from City but it looked like it was never going to get going with the same problems as the first half with a struggle to get the ball into goal scoring areas. Then after an hour, City fans' worst fear struck when Milutin Osmajic beat Zak Vyner for pace and slotted the ball past O’Leary to send the Lilywhites into dreamland and Bristol City fans into nightmare.

Superhero display

At that point due to results elsewhere, the Robins were then set to finish seventh until the Scottish superman stepped up and played the role of hero to perfection. His first goal came after a cross to the back post by Nahki Wells and McCrorie came steaming in to meet the ball and draw City level. That immediately turned Ashton Gate’s noise up to 100 and the players showed it on the pitch with an intensity not seen in the previous 70 minutes.

Then five minutes later a nice team move materialized from Nahki Wells, Zak Vyner and Jason Knight which ended with Knight slipping the ball into the box for McCrorie to chase onto before finishing in front of the south stand. Just before the second goal, City thought that they had equalised when Knight hit a piledriver from range and it cannoned off of the crossbar but couldn't find its way over the line.

After six minutes of added time the final whistle went but the cheer isnt as loud as normal because the general consensus around Ashton Gate was ‘ Let's wait for a couple minutes and then we will celebrate properly’. When the final whistle went at Bramall lane and the draw was confirmed between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers it meant that City’s place in the play offs were confirmed and the stands at Ashton Gate emptied onto the pitch.

Bristol City player ratings

Max O’Leary: Couldn't do much with the opening goal as the header was low into the ground and he couldn't get down quick enough. Quiet first half with his hands the goal was the only shot on target he faced in the 45. In the second half O’Leary’s goal wasn't peppered with shots but there were lots of crosses to claim. For north end’s second goal the keeper made himself look big but Osmajic just slipped the ball between the keeper’s legs. 6.5

George Tanner: Looked constantly on the front foot early going trying to establish a linkup with Hirakawa. Did well not to be caught out with his high positioning by Preston counter attacks. 6

Rob Dickie: Hit and miss performance for the towering centre half. Defended well at times but then there were also times where he let a high ball drop and it put City on the back foot. 6.5

Zak Vyner: It was another 90 minutes for City’s number 14. Was heavily caught out for the second goal with goalscorer Osmajic getting in behind and Vyner was never catching him. Apart from that it was a quiet but assured performance with the centre half winning the ball back numerous times before moving it on. 7

Ross McCrorie: Ross McCrorie where do you want the statue? Bristol City were down and out at 0-2 but the Scotsman's two goals in 5 minutes brought City level and sent Ashton Gate in delirium. The overall performance for McCrorie, who has always been bullish about City's promotion prospects, was a brilliant one as he constantly looked a threat to the Preston defence with his bullet like runs down the left side. 9

Leading by example

Joe Williams: Started in place of McGuane and in the 10 minutes of chaos that occurred in the second half Williams in-your-face play style was exactly what was needed. Was in the face of opposing midfielders not given them a second to rest or think with the ball. 7

Jason Knight: For an outfield player, who has been going from strength to strength since joining from Derby, to play every single minute of a Championship season is some impressive feat and City’s captain accomplished it today as he led by example. Another 90 minutes of tireless running and winning the ball got City back into the game and into the playoffs. 8

Max Bird: Wasn't quite the same performance that we’ve seen from Bird recently. There was a lack of runs forward instead opting to try and slowly move the ball forward. Did keep the ball nicely in tight areas in and around the box but didn't do much with it. 6.5

Yu Hirakawa: Started the game in the wing back role he got thrusted into late on away at QPR. He tried to cause problems with his pace but struggled to get anything going early on. However in the second half he played more attacking and caused his marker problems but a lot of shimmies left and right and got the ball into the box and Ashton Gate excited. 6.5

Comeback kid

Scott Twine: Comeback kid Twine made his first start since late March but in his time on the pitch he really struggled to contribute. It was clear he was looking to win set pieces in and around his box to show his class from a dead ball. Twine did put himself about on the pitch by constantly getting into duels and 50/50’s. But today he couldn't quite do anything that would get the City on the scoresheet. 6

Nahki Wells: Once again the veteran showed his quality and his ability to adapt to a style of game. Early on, Wells wasn't quite getting the service he wanted, which is searching balls down the wing which he can challenge a defender for. In the second half he turned provider when the substitutes were made and took up a more right winger role. 7

Substitutes:

Haydon Roberts: dropped after a tough game away at Leeds and came on at 0-1 for George Tanner. Roberts did not have a huge impact on the game as it was much focused on attacking however he showed good stamina to get back and defend counter attacks several times. 6

George Earthy: This man has become an Ashton Gate favourite in the last 6 weeks. His name was chanted throughout the game even when not on the pitch and when he came on he brought life to the crowd and the players on the pitch. He was a big part of the second goal when his clever pass found Knight who in turn found McCrorie but the energy and effort from Earthy was second to none. 7.5

Anis Mehmeti: The Albanian came on for Twine and had flashes of excitement but couldn't make an impact for a goal. Had a good chance just after coming on when he fired just wide after a nice dribble. 7

Sinclair Armstrong: Came on for Wells and it was clear what Armstrong’s job was it was to use his pace and power to attack down the channels and get balls into the box. He did have success a couple of times but overall couldn't get City the winner. ( Not that it was needed though) 7