Liam Manning delighted with Bristol City reaction despite 'disappointing' late Sunderland draw

Liam Manning was delighted to see a response from his Bristol City squad in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland, despite being left frustrated by the manner in which the Robins conceded a late equaliser at the Stadium of Light.

The Reds were just moments away from securing an excellent and professional away win to bounce back from their defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend after Luke McNally had opened the scoring midway through the second half with a composed right-footed finish.

However, Sunderland found a way to level things up in stoppage time as Patrick Roberts smashed past Max O'Leary from close range to ensure the two sides would have to settle for a point each in the North East on Tuesday night.

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The draw leaves City sitting 11th in the Championship table, five points adrift of Middlesbrough who occupy the final play-off place and nine points clear of Cardiff City and the relegation zone, although the Bluebirds have two games in hand.

Although Manning admitted he was disappointed that his side let their lead slip in the closing exchanges, the City boss was quick to credit his backline in particular for stepping up and performing following the dismal defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend.

"Obviously, the timing of it is what makes it feel a little bit like that [a loss]," the 39-year-old admitted post-match. "We were looking for a response from the weekend, I was quite honest at the weekend with everybody. We weren't good enough and we were looking for that response tonight.

"Of course, it's hugely disappointing and frustrating to concede so late but ultimately the lads gave absolutely everything which like I said, I was quite critical of at the weekend, but tonight they did that and left everything out there.

"The blocks, people putting their bodies on the line, Rob Dickie on his knees heading things clear in the box. I thought the lads gave absolutely everything so as disappointing as it is, it's not the worst point."

City had chances to extend their advantage before the last-minute leveller with the likes of Anis Mehmeti and Sam Bell both being unable to test Anthony Patterson in the Black Cats' goal despite finding themselves in some reasonable positions.

Those chances ultimately came back to bite the Robins who have now only won one of their five matches since the November international break, but Manning was reluctant to criticise his players who he felt gave their all for the travelling supporters.

"They're the margins I think at the level," admitted the City head coach. "It's one of the toughest divisions in the world right and that's the bit, you wouldn't want to call any result in the Championship I don't think.

"But they're the key bits. We're all in behaviourally, it's then just have you got the quality to kill the game off and Anis is improving. He's working on it but they are the moments that not just Anis but collectively we need to make sure we put the game to bed.

"The change of shape at half-time helped, I thought we were able to press a little bit higher and obviously went ahead. Then it's a case of whether you can see it out in what is a really difficult place to come so like I say, it's a frustrating one."

Fortunately, with the busy festive period looming on the Championship calendar, the Reds have a chance to get back to winning ways in just a few days when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon in what is their penultimate game before Christmas.

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