Source: Team_Talk
Jones hoping for home comforts
Substitute Ross McCormack rescued the Bluebirds with an 88th-minute equaliser after Nicky Maynard had fired the home side ahead on 71.[LNB]Jones felt the 1-1 draw in Sunday's Championship clash at Ashton Gate was a fair result and now knows a golden opportunity is there to cement a play-off position or even mount a challenge for automatic promotion.[LNB]"We have four home games on the trot and it's vital that we capitalise on them," he said.[LNB]"We have had a very tough programme and it's never easy to come to Ashton Gate and get a result. We had to show great spirit and I thought we deserved our equaliser.[LNB]"When games come so quickly together you need a strong squad so I was delighted that all three of our substitutes made an impact.[LNB]"It was a typical derby game with few clear-cut chances for either side. I felt we had the better of the first half and Bristol probably edged the second without casing our keeper too many problems."[LNB]Maynard fired Bristol City ahead with his 10th goal of the season, an unstoppable right-footed shot from 20 yards after the Cardiff defence had given him space to cut in from the left.[LNB]It looked as though the home side would take the points until two Cardiff substitutes combined for their precious point-saver.[LNB]Eddie Johnson's low drive from just outside the box was spilled by Bristol City goalkeeper Adriano Basso and McCormack reacted quickest to force home the rebound from a narrow angle.[LNB]Bristol City manager Gary Johnson admitted the goal was like a kick in the stomach.[LNB]"When you concede that late in the game, it's always a sickener and this was a vital match for both clubs," he said.[LNB]"We can take consolation from the fact that we played well and we are still very much in the shake-up as far as the play-offs are concerned.[LNB]"I'm sorry that Nicky Maynard is not going home on a high because his goal was worthy of winning any game.[LNB]"When his confidence is high he is a very good finisher and he couldn't' have caught that shot any sweeter.[LNB]"Everyone is disappointed in our dressing room, but the players will be back in on Tuesday and we will lift them ahead of our trip to Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. There is a lot still to play for."[LNB]Both goalkeepers made good saves in a closely-fought battle played in warm sunshine before a 17,000 crowd, who created a typical derby atmosphere.[LNB]Cardiff's Stuart Taylor, making his debut on loan from Aston Villa, twice denied Michael McIndoe in the second half, the second good save coming from an injury-time free kick.[LNB]At the other end, Basso did well to tip a 72nd-minute header from Gabor Gyepes onto the crossbar and over for a corner.[LNB][LNB]
