Bristol City 1-1 Watford: Scott Twine scores on debut in Robins draw

Bristol City's Scott TwineImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Twine levelled on his Bristol City debut

Scott Twine marked his Bristol City debut with a goal as they shared the points with Watford at Ashton Gate.

Midfielder Twine, signed on loan from Burnley earlier in the week, headed in the equaliser to cancel out Tom Dele-Bashiru's penalty.

Both sides had chances to convert one point into three, with Jason Knight and Rob Dickie both thwarted by Watford goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

Ismael Kone and Ryan Andrews went close for Valerien Ismael's side.

The Hornets remain ninth in the table, while City - who have not won since their 4-1 success at Watford on 26 December - move up a place to 13th.

Watford - unbeaten since that Boxing Day hammering from City at Vicarage Road - began strongly and Kone set up Dele-Bashiru for an early attempt that was charged down.

However, the midfielder took the opportunity to fire the visitors ahead from the spot after Dickie handled a cross from the left and that goal appeared to spark Liam Manning's side into action.

Twine should have levelled, dragging his finish wide from Knight's cross, but the debutant made no mistake with his next chance as Tommy Conway's shot was parried by Hamer and sat up neatly for Twine to head home.

The Hornets almost regained the lead just before the break when Giorgi Chakvetadze set up the lively Yaser Asprilla, but City goalkeeper Max O'Leary reacted quickly to smother the chance.

Twine's set-pieces provided a significant threat for City in the second period, setting up chances for both Knight and Dickie, as well as Ross McCrorie.

Watford rang the changes but couldn't find a winner as Kone arrowed a long-range shot over the bar and Andrews was denied late on by O'Leary.

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

"They started better than us and I thought they probably shaded the first half in terms of control. I thought we responded well to going behind and second half we had some outstanding chances.

"We had 15 shots inside the box which is a massive number, so I'm slightly frustrated we didn't convert one into a second goal. But I look at the performance from last week against Preston and what we did today and that's much more what we need to look like.

"He (Twine) had a better chance beforehand, with the cutback which I'd expect him to be better on, but he was in the right place at the right time with the headed goal and I'm delighted he's off the mark.

"The big thing you see is his quality with set-pieces and it doesn't surprise me we had three, four or five terrific opportunities off those - the consistency and speed he puts on his delivery is excellent."

Watford head coach Valerien Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It was another solid away game for us. Tactically we were very good, we pressed well and were organised.

"The intent in the first half was really good and we had two big chances to go in front with Yaser Asprilla. In the second half I think it was more the case that we put ourselves in a good situation to play but the last pass, the crosses were hectic.

"Ben Hamer made two big saves for us but we made it difficult unnecessarily. At the end you need to stay more calm in the last third.

"We're in a part of the season where it's all about winning games and we have to be more mature in some decision-making."

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