Ryan Fraser netted an 86th minute equaliser as the Blues drew 2-2 at home to Bristol City. Skipper Luke Chambers headed Town in front a minute after the break but quick-fire goals from Luke Freeman and Jonathan Kodjia gave the Robins the lead before Fraser’s late goal.

Prior to kick-off, Blues legends Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen were warmly applauded by the Portman Road faithful on their return to the club.

Having fielded an entirely different XI at Manchester United in midweek, Mick McCarthy made two changes from the team which drew 1-1 with Birmingham in the Blues’ previous Championship game a week ago yesterday.

Daryl Murphy and Ryan Fraser started with Brett Pitman and Larsen Touré dropping to the bench.

The visitors started on the front foot and would have gone in front in the fourth minute but for a superb instinctive Dean Gerken save.

Bristol City left wing-back Derrick Williams, who trained with the Blues Academy as a schoolboy, played the ball into skipper Aaron Wilbraham’s feet just inside the area.

The former Crystal Palace man back-heeled into the path of Jonathan Kodjia and on-time Bristol City keeper Gerken showed quick reactions to block the Ivorian’s powerful shot with his right hand.

The Robins went close again in the 10th minute when Luke Freeman’s corner from the right reached Nathan Baker at the back post but the on-loan Aston Villa couldn’t direct his header goalwards.

Murphy nodded Town’s first chance goalwards two minutes later from Jonas Knudsen’s cross but failed to trouble Bristol City keeper Frank Fielding.

The Robins threatened again a minute later, right wing-back Mark Little crossing and Kodjia turning a first-time effort just wide at the near post.

But Town gradually started to get on top and in the 14th minute Fraser - like his right-sided counterpart Ainsley Maitland-Niles operating in a very narrow role - crossed deep towards Murphy but sent the ball out for a goalkick when perhaps he had better options.

A minute later, Fraser crossed from the left but Freddie Sears glanced across the face and wide.

The Blues began to put the visitors under pressure and on 19 Knudsen saw a strike blocked, Town having kept the ball for a long spell around the edge of the box.

Town continued to press for the opening goal and in the 22nd minute following a corner Christophe Berra sent over a cross from the right but which was too close to Fielding.

Robins defender Aden Flint almost put the Blues in front on the half hour when he headed Fraser’s right-wing corner towards his own goal when under pressure.

Fortunately for the visitors keeper Fielding got across to his right to push the ball away and Smith was unable to get onto the rebound.

On 35 Fraser burst into the area at pace on the left and cut the ball across to Murphy, whose back-heeled effort was blocked. Two minutes later Marlon Pack was booked for a late tackle on Fraser.

Five minutes later, the visitors won a couple of corners, Berra doing well to head the second away under pressure.

Knudsen’s 44th minute long throw from the left beat the City defenders at the front post but bounced over Murphy and fortunately fell safely for the visitors. Booking

Town continued to press as the half moved into injury time, former Robin and boyhood Bristol City fan Cole Skuse seeing a shot blocked.

Moments later, Murphy was found on the right of the area and his shot deflected wide off Baker. Seconds before the whistle Berra headed a Fraser corner from the right over the bar.

Having started slowly - the Robins could have been in front but for Gerken’s save from Kodjia - the Blues gradually took control and were in charge for most of the half, however, without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

But it took only a minute of the second half for Town to claim the lead. The ball was played back to Knudsen following a long throw on the left, the Danish international whipped over a cross and skipper Luke Chambers headed home his first goal of the season off Flint as he tried in vain to clear the ball off the line.

Freeman smashed well wide for the Robins then on 52 Murphy wasn’t far away from his first of the season when hit a powerful strike just past Fielding’s right post.

The Blues lead would only last for another minute with the visitors getting back on terms in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Freeman brought the ball into the area unchallenged before hitting a shot which looked easy for Gerken until it struck Tommy Smith’s heel, beat the wrong-footed keeper and trickled over the line.

And three minutes later the visitors were in front. Kodija skipped away from Berra, who was caught on his heels, as he received a pass from Wilbraham the left, broke into the area and beat Gerken with covering defender Knudsen unable to get back.

The Blues reacted well to the double blow, however, and on 59 Sears half-volleyed Knudsen’s long throw from the left just over.

Two minutes later, Maitland-Niles crossed from the right and Fraser headed straight at Fielding. A foot or so either side of the keeper and the Blues would have been on terms.

On 64 Fraser’s cross from the left deflected off defender Luke Ayling’s head and Fielding was forced to tip over with the looping ball set to dip under his bar. From the corner, a Maitland-Niles strike deflected wide. David McGoldrick replaced Murphy on 67.

Williams made an important header on 71, nodding Maitland-Niles’s cross from the left over ahead of McGoldrick. That was the on-loan Arsenal man’s last involvement, one-time Robin Brett Pitman replaced him moments later.

As the game moved into its final quarter of an hour the Blues were camped in the Bristol City half but without being able to carve out many opportunities. And when they did create a chance the visitors’ backline remained resolute. On 76 McGoldrick broke into the area on the right but saw his shot blocked.

Jonny Parr replaced goalscorer Chambers for the final six scheduled minutes, the Town skipper having received treatment on the pitch shortly beforehand.

With four minutes left on the clock, the Blues got back on terms. Jonathan Douglas played the ball down the right to Pitman, who laid it back to Sears. The former Colchester man crossed first time and Fraser slammed home from close range.

Town went looking for the winner and in the 89th minute Fraser curled a strike fro distance into Fielding’s arms.

In injury time Baker rose highest to meet Freeman’s right-wing corner but was unable to direct towards goal.

Deep in injury time, McGoldrick’s 25-yard freekick was blocked but Sears returned the ball to the Blues number 10. The Irish international curled a shot towards goal and Pitman nodded just past the post.

Seconds before the final whistle, Pitman nodded down Knudsen’s ball down the left and Fraser lost his footing as he hit a shot deep into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

While the visitors - who drop to the bottom of the table with Rotherham beating Birmingham - will believe they deserved the point, Town will feel it was a game they should have won having had so much of the ball and after going ahead straight after the break.

The first Bristol City goal owed much to the unfortunate deflection, although Freeman was given too much time, while the Blues backline will be more disappointed with the second.

Having gone behind, Town dominated but huffed and puffed and had created few significant chances against a resolute Robins backline until Fraser’s well-worked equaliser.

The Blues, who have now won just once in their last six games in all competitions and are without a home victory in three matches, have dropped to seventh and next face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c) (Parr 84), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Pitman 71), Fraser, Sears, Murphy (McGoldrick 67). Subs: Bialkowski, Parr, Bru, Touré.

Bristol City: Fielding, Little, Ayling, Flint, Baker, Williams, Bryan, Pack, Freeman, Wilbraham (c), Kodjia (Burns 90). Subs: O'Leary, Moore, Reid, Robinson, Agard. Referee: Peter Bankes (Liverpool). Att: 20,347 (Bristol City: 487).

Photo: Action Images

warktheline added 18:55 - Sep 26 Oddball, if it is at all possible can you attempt to join the debate without crying ' whingers' or casting insults at people, is it too much to ask?
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StowTractorBoy added 18:58 - Sep 26 Over his tenure I have not been one to criticise the Manager but my goodness did he get it wrong today. Why oh why did Maitland Niles get pushed into the centre of midfield when he clearly causes problems on the flank. We were at home MM and the opposition should worry about us not us worry about them. We played into their hands and have paid the price with 2 more valuable points dropped. Sears is not a winger and yet continues to be played there and Murphy may as well not have turned up. He is either sulking because he did not move or simply not fit. At the moment it looks as though we should have sold him as he just does not look interested. McGoldrick looked ten times the player of Murphy and he must start next week. To cap it all what has gone wrong with Berra as he looks spent already. A very bad day at the office and McCarthy has to take some responsibility for his awful team selection and his defensively minded tactic at the outset. Rhodes could have a field day next week.

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Gcon added 19:00 - Sep 26 Every team has a blip during the season. Good to get ours out the way early. Wouldn't you agree, Blueboy?
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TimmyH added 19:38 - Sep 26 Well after the calamity of Paul Jewell's term in office and a defense all at sea Mick happened to make our defense fairly solid in a very short time, how comes 3 years later and those organisational skills defensively have completely disappeared! I wonder if Mick goes to bed at night and thinks this to himself?
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oddball added 19:43 - Sep 26 Walk theline. U are always making me apoligize, cant u just allow me to be odd, if all were the same the world would be a boring and all that :-)
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oddball added 19:45 - Sep 26 Plus l had a blast today and enjoyed the game :-)
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Surco72 added 19:47 - Sep 26 8 million received for a defender in the summer and MM has put together the worst defensive unit in the league . He can keep saying how good Gerks , Chambo , Berra , Skuse , Douglas are but unfortunately the league does not lie . Our player of the season so far isn't even ours !!:
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essex57 added 19:51 - Sep 26 Disappointing game however apart from all the other comments we were yet again ultimately undone by yet another deflected goal. Agree Murphy is a spent force in fact imo he's been out of form since last Christmas and when he's in the team it encourages the hoof ball tactics. MM must question why the groundsman feels the need to water the pitch so close to the game it's lead to us conceding at least 2 goals this season Yet again as in many games last season our inability to convert our many chances cost us dear. MOM Tommy Smith

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warktheline added 19:52 - Sep 26 In the main, this team can't defend for toffee, Chambers and Smith been playing out of position for ever and a day, obviously McCarthy doesn't rate alternatives... This forces him to play an ultra defensive centre midfield pairing, to cover square pegs in round holes in defence. As mentioned by many, Stearman surely was an top option, but I firmly believe McCarthy is avoiding the issues of upsetting team regulars. On the upside, the return of Bru and Bishop will aid us going forward, but that doesn't solve our biggest problem, leaking goals. IF YOU DISAGREE PLEASE DEBATE!!! Calling it 'whinging ' doesn't cut it, please bring something to the table, if not, or can't, go watch the X factor or such like!

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blueherts added 19:59 - Sep 26 I agree, since Jan we have not defended well at all. Last third of last season Murph def dipped in form. This season he is behind the others with Alabi pushing him, also Berra is out of sorts. Need some players to step up and some to step in - Bru Parr McGoldrick be a start
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warktheline added 20:00 - Sep 26 Oddball, have never asked for an apology from you, and I certainly wouldn't accept one from someone only intent on trying to wind people up. You are a classic example of someone 'hiding behind their keyboard '. It's all so easy to tap away isn't it, without any thought or consideration!
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billlm added 20:02 - Sep 26 Mm is simply not managing, the most talented squa d for a decade but it will do us no good what so ever if he can't manage and play a team of balanced players and not favourites ,please do your job properly
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warktheline added 20:04 - Sep 26 Essex57,you obviously attend games on a regular basis, does the watering of the pitch speed up or slow down the movement of ball?
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michael99 added 20:19 - Sep 26 My match ratings and season to date thoughts. Gerkin.A little hesitant to come out especially on corners etc,but generally ok Chambers. I love chambo but has been poor this season,needs to get back in the middle but it has been so long would take ages to adjust Smith. I am tommys harshest critic,but has started the season well. Berra.Looks sluggish so far this season Knudson.After a bright start, I am now not convinced. Niles.I don't see what the hype is all about. Skuse.Mr reliable does a steady job. Douglas.Crap,cant play with skuse as too similar.Makes Hyam look like Messi Fraser. Brilliant little player. Sears.Again,great little player always looks a threat great pace and runs Murphy.Not as bad as people say,but was never going to repeat last seasons goal tally. He should come good Subs Mcgoldrick.Never had a lot of pace, but now can only be described as plain slow Pitman.Can see he is a clever player with positioning etc. But both him and Mcgoldrick must be the most un-athletic looking players I have ever seen,neither of them can appear to be able to run Parr. Should be playing at fullback,better than chambers or maybe replace Knudson

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dannyrr added 20:23 - Sep 26 Another game where we should have won but lost points. To be fair we were lucky to get a point and if we had managed to get a third from the free kick in extra time it would have been robbery. We started from off the season playing good football and keeping it on the ground. We have stopped playing this type of football and regressed to playing hoofball. The only time we played good football today was for our second goal which came as a result of quick fluid on the floor football. Midfield were lacking today and when we should be going forward we pass back to the keeper from the half way line. Please let's go back to playing football and back to winning. Why oh why when the Brighton game cost us a goal and today when everyone was falling all over the place did we continue to water the pitch at half time??? I don't know what is classed as entertainment but the blind mans buff football at the interval was no more entertaining than our game today. Why is it that that after weeks of no football was the scoreboard not working???

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BillBlue added 20:27 - Sep 26 warktheline - I was happy to give your post addressed to oddball an upward tick but admit to having a good grin as I did it! But now to the point of this post: Why does everyone insist on using the word 'stubbornness' when talking about MM when the correct word is 'stupidity'?
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BriggEnd added 20:32 - Sep 26 More valuable points dropped again today against another average football team worrying times at the moment why we carnt kill a game off with all the chances we are creating our strikers are misfiring our midfield carnt defend or score goals and our defence is powder puff at best plus our keeper is dire. Mick got of jail by the skin of his teeth today after he reckoned he rested his top players on weds night for todays game. We are no way near a promotion team at the moment anyone who thinks so is deluded when at the moment we are needing to score between 2-3 goals in a match to at least gain a crap point. The teams who have invested and taken a chance are steadily climbing the league.

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essex57 added 20:35 - Sep 26 Wark the line my point is nothing to do with the speed of the ball it's the players inability to stay on their feet .
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Fatcatevans added 20:37 - Sep 26 Why all the debate about watering the pitch? It doesn't affect us as the balls constantly in the air
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runningout added 20:39 - Sep 26 We are better than that poor show.... Seems to be story of this season.. I'm concerned with the lack of professionalism yet again...
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warktheline added 20:43 - Sep 26 Essex57, you being there, I was wondering if the watering slowed the game down. Sorry to of shown interest!
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PJH added 20:49 - Sep 26 It is amazing how many Premier League and International managers contribute to TWTD. I often disagree with team selections made by MM but I accept that he knows far more about the game than I do-but then,I am not a Premier League or International manager.
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essexboy added 21:48 - Sep 26 LOOK, the players we have at the club are capable of getting us into the premier league,but the team selection by Mick is once again letting us down.Mick has done wonders at this club and I don't like to hear people knocking him BUT on this occasion he do feel some of his selections in my opinion are not correct.Chambers is not a full back and never will be,he should be in the middle and Douglas is not the answer in midfield,he is too similar to Scuse.Also Sears should be played down the middle NOT out wide.Whatever the answer is only Mick know's.!! We must get back to winning ways next Saturday before the break again.But don't get too down lads there is a long way to go yet.In Mick we trust.COYB.

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BillBlue added 22:03 - Sep 26 essexboy - You wrote the following: "BUT on this occasion he do feel some of his selections in my opinion are not correct." then you go on to mention Chambers, Scuse with Douglas and Sears on the wing, things which have been wrong for ages and widely discussed so why say "BUT on this occasion" then, to cap it all you end by saying "In Mick we trust"!!! Do YOU know what your true feelings are?

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VulpineBlue added 22:41 - Sep 26 The worst home performance I've seen this season. For me the main problem remains in the midfield. Scuse & Douglas patently not working well together. Would much prefer to see Bru in there somewhere linking play to the forward line. My verdict is out on the strikers- its hard to judge any of them when our possession percentages are so low and our supply to them so outright bad. Back four needs a re-jig. After his decent performance against Man U I'd like to see Piotr given a bash. Our ultimate problem though is that of hubris. Our away strip imitates that of Barca. The gods on mount Olympus show their displeasure of this arrogance with the odd nasty deflection against us...

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