Bristol City earned a 1-1 draw away to Oxford United, after going down to nine men at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
Liam Manning’s side were reduced to ten men on the half-hour mark when Joe Williams was sent off for a challenge that saw him win the ball, but catch Will Vaulks with his second leg.
The teams went into the break goalless, and City had a chance to take the lead through a terrific Mark Sykes long-range effort after 51 minutes that forced Jamie Cumming into an acrobatic save. But the hosts pulled in front eight minutes later when a low Greg Leigh cross rolled past a vision-blocked Max O’Leary and into the back of the net.
Manning's Reds levelled the game with 35 minutes to go when Max Bird found Mark Sykes in plenty of space after receiving a short free-kick. The Irishman smashed in from range, right into the top corner to knock his former side back level.
City were forced to play the final four minutes, and stoppage time, with nine players when Ross McCrorie was awarded a second yellow card for a foul on Ciaron Brown after 86 minutes. The U’s couldn’t make use of their two-player advantage however, with City standing tall and defending their box well, meaning that Brown’s wide header with a minute to go was the closest the hosts came to stealing all three points.
Recap all the action here...
KEY EVENT
The manager's reaction
Safe to say Liam Manning was not impressed with Oliver Langford's performance as the referee this afternoon.
You can read his verdict on Joe Williams' red card HERE...
KEY EVENT
Player ratings have landed
It was by no means pretty, but Bristol City will head back from The Kassam Stadium with a point and two players suspended.
Read our player ratings HERE...
KEY EVENT
Full-time: Oxford 1 - 1 Bristol City
Chaos. Somehow City have got a point. Oxford had a chance late on to claim all three points but couldn't take it. That could prove to be an important point given the situation, even if it was a grim game of football.
We'll have all the reaction as it comes here....
90+4Daniel Carter
City have their back to the wall
Oxford are whipping cross after cross into the City box and somehow, they're getting a head on everything thrown their way. O'Leary is taking his time over another kick and this time is booked.
90+2Daniel Carter
Sucking the time out of the game
City are taking as long as they can over every free-kick, throw-in and everything as they look to suck some time out of this game.
90+1Daniel Carter
City change
George Tanner is introduced in place of Sinclair Armstrong with four minutes added on.
90Daniel Carter
O'Leary gathers again
Oxford want a winner and a cross from the right evades everyone. Luckily, O'Leary is there to claim and gather.
88Daniel Carter
O'Leary does well
Oxford smell blood and are piling on the pressure. A cross is floated into the box and O'Leary is brave to come and collect. That could prove to be important.
86KEY EVENT
Red card: Ross McCrorie
City are now down to nine as McCrorie is given a second yellow for a heavy challenge on Brown. A tough task has become even harder.
86Daniel Carter
All a bit scrappy
This second half has been chaos. Neither side has grabbed total control and the referee hasn't helped. This could still go either way.
84Daniel Carter
Great by McNally
The City defender flies in to win the ball and a free-kick in the progress. He's been like a gladiator back there. The away crowd want a red card but its only going to be a yellow.
82Daniel Carter
Time is running out
We've got just under 10 minutes and stoppage time to play here this afternoon. City have offered plenty even with a man down but you have to wonder if they're happy with a point.
79Daniel Carter
Bristol City change
Marcus McGuane is introduced to a range of boos and cheers from the home crowd as he replaces George Earthy.
78Daniel Carter
Earthy has to shoot
The Robins break incredibly and Earthy is through almost one-on-one with the keeper. He doesn't shoot and instead looks to lay it off to the on-rushing Armstrong. That was City's chance and the West Ham loanee simply had to have a go.
78Daniel Carter
Oxford corner
The ball is slipped between Sykes and McNally and somehow the latter blocks a shot behind for a corner. It wasn't pretty but City manage to clear it away after a bit of a battle both on the edge and inside the box.
75Daniel Carter
McCrorie forces a block
McNally is slipped behind by Earthy and picks out McCrorie in the box. He connects well with his right-footed strike but is blocked quickly. City are knocking on the door again.
74Daniel Carter
Double Oxford change
Rodrigues and Kioso make way for the home side for Goodrham and Ter Avest.
73Daniel Carter
Armstrong offering an awful lot
The striker has been a handful since coming on as he constantly occupiues defenders. He wins the Robins yet another free-kick and the away side want a red card that they will not get.
69Daniel Carter
City fans up and about
It has taken a while, but the away fans are back up for this one. They are chanting Liam Manning's name and taking the mick out of the home fans slightly. Still an awful lot of football to be played.
65KEY EVENT
GOAL: Oxford 1 - 1 Bristol City [Sykes]
Pick that out! City's free-kick is played short and Bird finds Sykes on the edge of the box who curls into the top left corner. What a goal that is! City aren't done yet.
64Daniel Carter
Dangerous City free-kick
Armstrong gets ahead of his man while chasing a long ball and wins a free kick out on the right wing.
63Daniel Carter
It was coming
Let's be clear, that was a dreadful goal to concede, but that has been coming. Since before the red card, the hosts have been on top and have deserved their lead.
59KEY EVENT
Goal: Oxford 1 - 0 Bristol City [Leigh]
The hosts take the lead. The ball drops to Leigh after a seriuous of blocks from City and his cross-come-shot trickles into the bottom corner. That's an awful goal for the Robins to concede.
58Daniel Carter
Massive save from O'Leary
Oxford cross a ball in and after a bit of pinball in the box, a shot is smashed towards O'Leary which he not only stops but keeps hold of. City are living on the edge now.
57Daniel Carter
Massive block by McNally
Placheta ghosts behind McCrorie and looks to cut a ball across the six yard box but McNally comes sliding across to the block behind for a corner which he then heads away.
55Daniel Carter
Settled down a bit
The changes have certainly given City some more balance, even with 10 men. Armstrong is at risk of being slightly isolated but that's to be expected after a red card.
52Daniel Carter
Dickie goes close
The resulting corner is swung onto the head of Dickie who rises well to head goalward. While he connects well, his shot is well wide of the post and goes behind for a goal kick.
52Daniel Carter
Sykes forces a big save
City nearly pull ahead. Sykes profits from some good hold up play from Armstrong and tries his luck from the edge of the box. His shot is dangerous and Cumming has to stretch to turn it behind.
50Daniel Carter
Important header from Vyner
Oxford are knocking on the door now and Vyner has had to be smart to head away a shot that looked dangerous. That back three are going to need to throw their body at everything to keep this clean sheet in tact.
48Daniel Carter
Headed over
An Oxford head of some sort makes contact with the resulting corner, but it is guided well over O'Leary's crossbar and City are let off the hook. There may be a lot of that to come.