Match report

Johnson kicked the ball away from Swansea defender Izzy Iriekpen
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson was sent off as his side took a step nearer automatic promotion from League One with a goalless draw against Swansea.
Johnson was banished to the stands in the closing minutes for going onto the pitch to kick the ball away.

Swans defender Dennis Lawrence hit the post in the first half, before Thomas Butler's shot was well saved.

City substitute Andy Smith almost snatch a win but his header rebounded off the bar in injury time.



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Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, Fontaine (Keogh 46), Betsy, Skuse, Johnson, Brian Wilson, Brooker (Showunmi 31), Jevons (Smith 73).
Subs Not Used: Thomas, Russell.

Booked: Betsy, Keogh.

Swansea: Gueret, Amankwaah (Richard Duffy 74), Iriekpen, Lawrence, Painter, Britton, O'Leary, Craney, Butler (Robinson 70), Trundle, Abbott (Darryl Duffy 66).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Williams.

Booked: Iriekpen, Craney, Darryl Duffy.

Att: 14,025.

Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).

Bristol City 0-0 Swansea - Report - Mike Thomas

Just got back from Ashton Gate after witnessing a great battling performance from the Swans today.
We outplayed a surprisingly poor Bristol side for large parts of the game and were desperately unlucky not to come away with three points. Dennis Lawrence hit the post with a great shot after a one-two on the edge of the area in the first ten minutes - the ball hit the inside of the post and rebounded across the face of goal with the keeper beaten but no Swans player near enough to tuck it in.

In all, we created fifteen scoring chances compared to Bristol's two or three, and only really came under pressure in the last ten minutes, but held our nerve.

Ratings:
Gueret 7.5 - very few shots to save, but a lot of high balls and crosses pumped into area, all of which he dealt with convincingly and bravely.
Amankwaah 8.5 - my MOTM, rock solid in defence, totally snuffed out his winger, and got forward up the wing every chance he could, often very effectively. Took a knock and went off after about 70 mins but seemed to be walking OK, hopefully not serious.
Izzy 8 - big, strong, dominant, made the Bristol forwards look like schoolboys.
Lawrence 7.5 - sound and composed, strong when he had to be. Great snap shot which desreved a goal.
Painter 8 - another superb defensive show, one goal saving clearance from the six yard line in the first half, just lost his rag at the end with lino whe didn't get decision and earned himself yellow card.
Butler 5.5 - anonymous and tentative in first 35 minutes, gave away a lot of cheap possession, but strangely came to life and started to make himself a nuisance down the left. Gave way to Robbo after seventy odd minutes.
KOL - 6.5 typical all-action, work your guts out type of Kristian performance, passing sometimes a little suspect but this boy would die for the Swans shirt.
Craney 6 - still not getting involved enough in midfield for my money, but put himself about a bit, used the ball simply but well and worked himself the odd shooting position, always woefully off target.
Britton 8 - simply outstanding contibution from Leon who worked his socks off in attack and covering in defence, great skill and trickery on the ball.
Trundle 7.5 - looks to be getting back to his sharpest, always a handful for the Bristol defence and always alive to receiving the ball from any situation. My only criticism is he's not linking well with either strike partner.
Abbott 4.5 - how this guy scored so many goals for Huddersfield amazes me. He was totally off the pace in the first half, gave away ball every time he received it and had no determination to go on and score the odd time he found himself in a good position. Started to do a little betetr after the break but by then I think Roberto had seen enough and replaced him with Duffy.

Subs:
Richard Duffy 4.5 - looked nervy and sluggish from the off, almost gave away a goal within seconds of coming on when he tripped over his own feet and presented ball to attacker who went on into area and was only foiled by last ditch Willy save. Gradually warmed up a bit but looked the weak link in defence and my heart was in my mouth whenever he was one on one with a forward.
Robbo 6.5 - bit of a mystery why Martinez took so long to bring him on; immediately injected more bite into the Swans attack and had several stinging efforts which just missed the target.
Duffy (the other one) 6 - looks a better option than Abbott, much livlier and more aggressive, only just missed his first goal for us when put through by Craney and flicked the ball past keeper and just past post.

So, what a pleasure it was to have come away from Ashton Gate with something, having sat with amongst a right bunch of West Country knuckle draggers for 90 minutes biting my tongue. Still an uphill struggle to make the play-offs, but we're still in it. I wonder if Yeovil will be the team we replace at the finishing tape, not Blackpool?