Bristol City vs Fleetwood Town. The FA Cup Third Round.
Ashton Gate.
Saturday 7 January 2017 18:02, UK
Fleetwood earned another crack at Bristol City with a tenacious display that earned a goalless FA Cup third round draw at Ashton Gate.
The League One side were well worth their replay on Tuesday week, battling hard to contain a strong City line-up featuring three debutants in Jens Hegeler, Bailey Wright and Milan Djuric.
Lee Johnson's men were booed off, having dominated possession, but lacked the tempo to undo well-organised opponents.
Fleetwood created the first good chance on eight minutes when Devante Cole's low cross was met at the near post by David Ball and City goalkeeper Frank Fielding spread himself to save.
Lee Tomlin's skills were City's most likely route to a first half goal. His deflected shot brought the first save from Alex Cairns on 14 minutes.
Djuric's first chance in a City shirt came moments later, the Bosnia international striker shooting into the side-netting from Tomlin's chipped pass.
Tomlin had another shot saved after a long penetrating run. But it was full-back Mark Little who forced the best first half save from Cairns when the ball broke to him inside the box on 36 minutes.
Nathan Pond headed wide for Fleetwood from a corner, while at the other end Josh Brownhill's low drive from just outside the penalty area was inches wide.
City lost skipper and midfield driving force Korey Smith to injury on 43 minutes, with Marlon Pack going on as replacement.
Fleetwood kept their composure well as the home side looked to apply late first half pressure and could feel well satisfied at the break.
City had to change goalkeepers at the start of the second half, with Richard O'Donnell replacing the injured Fielding.
Hegeler was impressing on debut for the hosts and got forward from the right of a back-three to shoot narrowly wide on 50 minutes.
Two minutes later City went close again, top scorer Tammy Abraham sending a low drive just wide, having cut in from the left.
Abraham shot over after a strong run on 72 minutes, but Fleetwood were defending with excellent organisation and determination.
Johnson sent on his final substitute as Jamie Paterson replaced Tomlin, but despite dominating possession the Championship side continued to find it hard to create clear openings.
Cheered on by 236 travelling fans, Fleetwood stayed resolute and threatened on the break in the closing stages.
