Bristol City 1-1 Hull City: Shaun Maloney salvages Hull point

Substitute Shaun Maloney struck a second-half equaliser as high-flying Hull were made to fight all the way for a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Kieran Agard fired the Robins in front after 39 minutes after Andrew Robertson brought down Elliott Bennett on the right side of the penalty area.

Luke Freeman's inswinging free-kick caused havoc and the hosts appealed for handball before Agard pounced on the loose ball to net with a left-footed short on the turn.

Hull had to wait until the 73rd minute to equalise when Harry Maguire broke clear onto a Mohamed Diame flick and produced an emphatic right-footed finish with only Frank Fielding to beat.

Hull dominated first-half possession, yet went in a goal down and having had four players booked.

The hosts created the first chance when Jonathan Kodjia volleyed wide from Freeman's through ball. Then Hull 'keeper Alan McGregor had to tip over a Freeman free-kick.

As the visitors got into their stride, Diame had a shot from inside the box blocked by Luke Ayling and Fielding had to palm over a fierce drive from Maguire.

Hull lost defender Michael Dawson to injury just after he had collected a 35th-minute caution and Steve Bruce sent on Curtis Davies as replacement.

After Agard's goal, Hull laid siege to the hosts' penalty area until the break. Jake Livermore's shot was deflected over, Chuba Akpom missed a header from Robertson's inviting cross and Diame fired over from a free-kick in a dangerous position.

The second half began with both sides defending well and chances at a premium.

But Hull showed their pedigree again with a 60th-minute move of quick passing that ended with Sam Clucas drilling a low shot wide from the edge of the box.

With home fans getting edgy, Bristol City were again finding it hard to keep the ball, but there was no faulting the effort of Steve Cotterill's men.

Maloney's equaliser came out of the blue 12 minutes after he had replaced Akpom, but was no more than Hull deserved. They immediately began to look the more likely winners.

As stoppage time approached substitute Sone Aluko volleyed narrowly wide with the Robins displaying some understandably tired legs.

The home side had given everything and were receiving roars of encouragement from their supporters as they valiantly clung on for a share of the spoils.

For all Hull's neat approach play, there were not too many testing moments for Fielding in the home goal.

Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill:

"Before the game I was tipping Hull for promotion and nothing I saw changed my mind.

"They have a great spirit about them at the moment, which combined with the quality of their players probably makes them an even better team than they were in the Premiership last season.

"While we didn't deserve to win the game, we didn't deserve to lose it either. Both teams deserve credit because those conditions are the worst you can face as a player."

Hull boss Steve Bruce:

"An away point is never bad, but I wasn't happy with our first-half performance because we gave the ball away to cheaply and conceded too many free-kicks, which invited pressure.

"That is what led to their goal. I warned the players beforehand that Bristol City are in a false position and I believe they will be comfortable in the Championship by the end of the season."