Hull City 1-1 Bristol City: Nahki Wells scores equaliser as Robins fight back for draw

Bristol City came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium as Nahki Wells levelled for the visitors in the second half.

Wells thought he had equalised on the stroke of half-time but his effort was ruled out for offside after a delayed decision from the assistant referee.

He finally found the net with a goal that stood on the hour mark but neither side were able to find a second to take all three points.

Both teams had a number of half-chances in the opening 15 minutes before Tufan – who scored a hat-trick two weeks ago against Sheffield Wednesday – broke the deadlock.

Delap had already proved dangerous down the right and this time got the better of Zak Vyner in a one-on-one and crossed towards Tufan, who simply waited in space and side-footed into the net.

Unlike a week ago when Bristol City failed to register a shot on target during their 2-0 defeat against Birmingham City, they responded well and had a barrage of chances to equalise.

Wells volleyed over from close range and had a header well blocked by the Hull defence, while Joe Williams also sent a volley over the bar after the ball was deflected into his path.

Wells, starting up front in one of three changes from the Blues defeat, then got the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time and was with his team-mates celebrating when the flag was finally raised for offside.

He continued in the same vein after the break and had an overhead kick saved on the line before finally getting his just rewards from the Robins’ pressure, tapping in from close range at the far post after a cross from Jason Knight slipped all the way through the box.

Changes were made by both sides as they looked to snatch all three points, although Bristol City disappointingly brought on Andi Weimann – who has missed the last three games with a knock – only to see him come straight back off three minutes later with another heel injury.

Scott Twine had a free-kick comfortably saved by Max O’Leary, Aaron Connolly was also denied in a one-on-one with the Robins keeper, while substitute and Bristol City debutant Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s shot was blocked and deflected over in the final minute as both teams were forced to settle for a point.

Hull City manager Liam Rosenior told BBC Radio Humberside:

“It became one of those games in the end where we could have won but we could have easily lost.

“I was delighted with the first 25 minutes and we played some great football and we scored a fantastic team goal, which is what I want to see.

“What happened was we tried to score every time we got the ball, we started running with the ball, we start back-heeling the ball, we don’t keep possession and that’s what Bristol City want.

“They’re a team full of legs, full of energy, full of pace, Nigel [Pearson] has recruited really, really well and actually we gave them oxygen by not keeping possession of the ball. So a lot to learn.

“What pleased me was after they scored we gained control of the game again and then they didn’t have a kick other than the long throws in our box from us being naive towards the end.

“On another day we take them, but another day we lose the game so overall it was a typical Championship game. But seven points from four games to start the season gives us a good platform.”

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

“Not happy that we didn’t win the game because I think we should have won the game.

“We had a spell in the first half where they were on top and they created some shooting situations, which Max [O’Leary] dealt with pretty well.

“We allowed them to get on top for a short period but that apart I think our performance was very, very positive, and after such a disappointment at home against Birmingham with our lack of creativity we just created so many opportunities today.

“We missed a couple of sitters but they defended their goal with an awful lot of commitment, so fair play to them on that. If we play like that every time that we play we’ll win a lot of games.

“We’ve come here with a really positive intent and I think they’d be pretty relieved at the end of the game that the game finished because even in injury time as the away side we weren’t trying to protect a point we were trying to get three. And I like that.”