FA Cup: Bristol City 1-1 Swansea City - Semenyo earns Bristol City a replay

Bristol City failed to win at Ashton Gate for the eighth successive game despite Antoine Semenyo's header earning a replay at Swansea City.

The visitors were dominant in the first half but Semenyo's goal was deserved as the Robins dominated after half-time.

Semenyo headed home with 15 minutes remaining as Swansea failed to clear.

The visitors had been gifted the lead on 15 minutes when Rob Atkinson's awful pass went straight to Liam Cullen, who presented Joel Piroe with a tap-in.

The winners of the replay will host Chesterfield or West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round.

Swansea and Bristol City's bosses might feel frustrated not to have settled the tie on the day, with Swansea completely in control before the break but unable to add to the goal the hosts gifted them.

Bristol City have only progressed from four of their last 15 FA Cup third-round ties, but they will take heart ahead of the replay at the Swansea.com Stadium from the fact they have never been knocked out by the Swans, progressing against the Welsh side three times.

Pressure on Pearson

Robins manager Pearson - who admitted this week he is under pressure to keep his job - unsurprisingly named a strong side, with just one change from the league draw with Coventry, with Tommy Conway replacing Nahki Wells, though Conway was withdrawn with injury after 25 minutes.

Swansea boss Russell Martin also opted to make just one change from the defeat to Burnley last time out, with Nathan Wood coming in for Harry Darling.

Attention has been focused on Pearson with his side winning just one of their last 10 league games and he would have been aghast at the way they conceded the first goal.

They provided Swansea with an absolute gift as Atkinson's wayward pass was intercepted by Cullen, who gave Piroe the easiest of finishes.

Atkinson thought he had made amends at the end of the first period, but his strong claim for a penalty was waved away by referee Craig Pawson.

Pawson also rejected Alex Scott's penalty plea after the break as the hosts increased the pressure on the visitors.

Pearson's side had not won any of their seven previous home games, with their last success at Ashton Gate coming in August, but they showed good spirit, despite creating few chances.

The hosts found an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining as Semenyo's header beat goalkeeper Steven Benda, who got his hands to the ball.

The momentum was all with the Robins and Benda saved adroitly to deny Wells as the home fans sensed a winner.

Both sides had chances to avoid a replay but Max O'Leary saved Jay Fulton's powerful effort and Joe Williams' superb cross somehow evaded everyone in the Swansea penalty area.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson said:

"There were two penalty decisions which went against us in the first half when first Antoine Semenyo and then Rob Atkinson went down. I have no idea why.

"Then in the second half, every time balls were played into the box, they were allowed to grab our players and pull them to the ground.

"Rob Atkinson dealt with his mistake well. He didn't dwell on it and I couldn't fault the efforts of any player.

"Going to the World Cup with Ghana was good for Antoine Semenyo. He had only just recovered from a broken shin at the start of the season, so missed much of the build-up."

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin told BBC Sport Wales:

"We were brilliant in the first half. Some of our build-up play was incredible.

"But we need to make more of the moments when we get into the opposition box. The boys were in a bit of a rush at times and there was a lack of quality.

"They had a couple of penalty shouts, but I was really pleased with our composure at the back, which limited them to very few chances.

"We spoke at half-time about the need to retain the same intensity. But Bristol changed shape, threw caution to the wind, and we didn't play with enough aggression to hold on."