Jones hails fans after late blow

13 January 2010 10:04
Jones saw Bristol City substitute Gavin Williams keep his side in the cup with an injury time equaliser, fired home low from the edge of the box in Arctic conditions at Ashton Gate. [LNB]Michael Chopra looked to have secured Cardiff a fourth round home tie with Leicester City when he took advantage of a glaring error by home goalkeeper Dean Gerken after 76 minutes to score with a first time effort from out near the right touchline.[LNB]But it was a fair result to a game played on an increasingly treacherous surface. Heavy snow had fallen before the game forcing several of Cardiff's supporters' coaches to return home halfway through their journey.[LNB]Those that made it delighted Jones with their backing.[LNB]"I had a pop at our supporters on Saturday for booing us, but tonight they were magnificent," he said.[LNB]"The game was a credit to both sides because conditions were very difficult and at least both chairmen will be happy with the outcome.[LNB]"I thought we played some excellent football at times, but you don't expect Bristol City to roll over at Ashton Gate and credit them for keeping going right to the final whistle."[LNB]Bristol have been on the receiving end of several late goals in Championship matches this season so manager Gary Johnson was predictably happy.[LNB]"I said before the game I would be leaving 10 minutes early because I couldn't stand to see us concede another injury time goal," he quipped. "But I'm pleased I stayed and it's a nice feeling for us to score when it matters most.[LNB]"Gavin is a Cardiff fan so it was a special moment for him. It was one of those substitutions that worked, although I wasn't that pleased with him up until his goal.[LNB]"It was right for the match to be played and the referee and both sets of players deserve a lot of credit. We were playing with 10 men at the end because Marvin Elliott got a hamstring injury after I'd used all three substitutes.[LNB]"I'm sure the replay will be equally competitive, but Cardiff don't have the best of home records at the moment so we can go there with confidence."[LNB]A state-of-the-art tent and hot-air blowers ensured the game was played, but the snow which fell throughout made the surface increasingly slippery.[LNB]Gerken found that to his cost 14 minutes from time. He slipped as he attempted a clearance down the touchline, but Chopra still had to show great composure and skill to net from a narrow angle.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk