Bristol City showed a courageous, spirited display to take Premier League Nottingham Forest to an FA Cup 4^th round replay after a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate yesterday.

 

The Championship Robins took West Ham United to a replay in the previous round and after a defensive mistake from the Hammers, Tommy Conway scored in a 1-0 win to set them up a tie against the Reds. For Forest, they also had to be taken to a replay by League One, Blackpool. After a hard, cold 90 minutes, both sides needed extra time to try and secure their place in the next round. Chris Wood’s tap-in in the 110^th minute meant Forest were on their way to Bristol.

 

Liam Manning’s side were looking to knock out more than one top-flight opponent in the same FA campaign for the first time since the 1919/20 season. However, Forest had not won two successive FA Cup away ties since 1988/89.

 

The first half started quite evenly matched with Bristol City seeing more of the ball due to Forest giving possession away fairly cheaply. The first real chance of the game came in the 17^th minute after Nuno’s men were awarded a free kick following a foul on right-back Gonzalo Montiel. Nuno Tavares stepped up but his left-footed effort hit the side netting.

 

Just a minute later, Zak Vyner picked up the ball and with help from a slip from Danilo, drove into space before playing Conway in. His angle to goal became tight and following an excellent block from Andrew Omabamidele, Forest managed to clear the ball.

 

The biggest chance of the half came from a Tommy Conway half-volley which went just inches wide of Matt Turner’s post. Anis Mehmeti played in a cross and after finding space the Robin’s striker couldn’t find the target.

 

Forest had a huge chance of their own following work down their left-hand side from Hudson-Odoi and Wood. Hudson-Odoi played the ball back to an oncoming Danilo just for the Brazilian midfielder to fire just left of goal.

 

The final chance of the half came from a Jason Knight header from a corner but the midfielder couldn’t find the target after his header went over goal.

 

Half-time, 0-0.

 

Morgan Gibbs-White and Neco Williams entered the field at half-time and this made the difference for Forest. They started the second half the brighter team, breaking forward and getting a few half chances at goal. Their first real chance came from a header from former City man, Chris Wood after his effort was easily saved by ‘keeper Max O’Leary following a floated ball over the top from Gibbs-White.

 

Another big chance came for the Reds as Gibbs-White played in Hudson-Odoi to the left but his near-post shot was fired into the side netting.

 

The hosts ended the game the stronger team being roared on by a passionate crowd, looking dangerous going forward and having several chances from Sam Bell and Cameron Pring but not enough to force Turner into a serious save.

 

In the 85^th minute, City flew forward in a counter attack following a Forest corner, looking for a chance to pinch a 1-0 so close to the end of the match. Harry Cornick lead the fast break before playing the ball to Pring who took his angle towards goal too tight, firing into the side netting.

 

Forest had a chance of their own to win the game after Gibbs-White was fouled on the edge of the box. Danilo stepped up to take but fired miles over.

 

In the end, a draw was a fair result as Forest had to dig deep defensively at times after their first clean sheet under new boss Nuno Espitro Santo. The hosts managed to set up 9 shots but non fell on target.

 

Forest sit 16^th in the Premier League table before their game against Arsenal on Tuesday and as for Bristol City, they are unbeaten in three after playing Premier League sides but still sit 13^th in the Championship. However, Robin’s manager, Liam Manning, will take inspiration from that performance.

 

These two sides will meet again for a place in the 5^th round the week beginning February 5^th.

 

I think today’s result was fair as both sides had enough chances to win the game but also carried out some good defensive displays. All game, I think our final balls and decision making was poor and lacking as sometimes we found ourselves in good positions and then just cheaply gave the ball away. Gibbs-White and Williams coming on definitely improved the side as we started to get forward more and they both found themselves in some great positions, especially Neco down the right. Having Morgan back is a massive boost for our game against Arsenal in midweek. A good shift from the lads again but we just missed the final cutting edge and maybe with some better finishing we wouldn’t find ourselves heading back to the City Ground for a replay. Bring on Arsenal!

 

Bristol City: O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie; McCorie (Bell 68'), Gardener-Hickman, James, Pring; Knight, Mehmeti (Cornick 78'); Conway (Wells 77')

Forest: Turner; Montiel, Omabamidele, Murillo, Tavares (Toffolo 65'); Mangala, Yates (Gibbs-White 45’); Dominguez (Williams 45'), Danilo, Hudson-Odoi; Wood