Matt Smith scored a second-half equaliser to earn Bristol City a replay in their FA Cup third-round clash against Doncaster Rovers this afternoon.
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Rovers started the match on the front foot as they put early pressure on the City defence when Dean Furman raided into the box, but Frank Fielding made a good stop at his feet just when the midfielder was about to pull the trigger.
The visitors came close to edging ahead when Wade Elliott found space just outside the penalty area to drill an effort at goal, but Sam Johnstone was on hand to make a good stop.
Minutes later, Johnstone was called into action again to deny Luke Ayling who fired a stinging drive towards goal, but the keeper dived to his right to push the ball past the post.
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Doncaster made a late push in the half to try to take the lead before the interval, but Aden Flint proved to be solid at the back for the visitors to break up two promising attacks from the home side.
In the second half, Rovers took the lead in the 50th minute as City failed to clear their lines from a corner and the loose ball fell to Luke McCullough in the box and he fired a left-footed volley into the net.
Emmanuel Thomas tried to fight back for the visitors as he raided forward and launched a stinging effort towards goal, which forced Johnstone into action as he palmed the ball away from the net.
Thomas went close again minutes later as he almost capitalised on a mistake from McCullough and he raced through on goal, only to be denied by Johnstone once more as the keeper made a save with his feet.
City's pressure finally told on Rovers as they levelled the scores in the 75th minute when Ayling fired a cross into the penalty area which was headed past Johnstone by Smith from close range.
Both sides tried late on to win the game, but neither could find the net again as Kyle Bennett missed a glorious opportunity in the dying seconds, which will force a replay match at Ashton Gate.
Simon Sinclair
