Aaron Wilbraham strike earns Bristol City a deserved point
Skipper Aaron Wilbraham grabbed an 80th-minute equaliser to earn Championship strugglers Bristol City a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers at Ashton Gate.
It was no more than the hosts deserved when the experienced striker slid in at the far post to fire home substitute Joe Bryan's cross after a good move down the left inspired by Luke Freeman.
Rangers had taken a 56th-minute lead with a quality finish from Junior Hoilett who ran onto a pass from Sebastian Polter and buried a low shot past Frank Fielding from just outside the box.
City dominated the first half territorially but failed to seriously test Rob Green.
Jonathan Kodjia was a constant threat for the hosts and might have gone down under a challenge from Green in the fifth minute. Instead, the Frenchman kept his feet and the chance came to nothing.
Hoilett's low shot from the edge of the box was Rangers' first accurate attempt on goal on 28 minutes, but brought a routine save from Fielding.
Kodjia's shot from a similar distance stung Green's hands two minutes later before City defender Nathan Baker did well to block a volley from Nedum Onuoha following a corner.
Freeman had a shot saved as pressure built on the Rangers goal just before the break and Kodjia was off target with two more efforts.
The visitors were content to play on the break, but there was little joy in the opening 45 minutes for lone striker Polter in the absence of Charlie Austin.
Home fans cheered their side off at half-time, even though their bright attacking football had brought no reward.
Rangers had an early second-half chance when Fielding's poor clearance was pounced on by Matt Phillips, but the City keeper atoned by saving Phillips' shot from 20 yards.
Then came Hoilett's goal and for the first time Rangers looked set to take control. It took a good block from Aden Flint to stop Polter netting a second on 58 minutes.
A mistake by Marlon Pack saw Phillips attack a retreating defence and his low drive from a narrow angle brought a fingertip save from Fielding.
But City showed they weren't finished as Kodjia twisted his way into the area and had a low shot well saved by Green.
The Rangers keeper had to perform more heroics on 70 minutes turning aside a dipping 25-yard volley from the impressive Kodjia.
Hoilett was unlucky not to extend Rangers' lead on 79 minutes when his well struck shot from outside the box on the left clipped the crossbar.
Moments later City were level when Wilbraham turned in Bryan's delivery.
Source: PA
