Bristol City 1-1 Derby County
Adam Baker reports from Ashton Gate

Nicky Maynard's first goal in a City shirt wasn't enough to see off the challenge of Derby County, who fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.

Maynard netted from close range midway through a first half City dominated, but the Rams came out strongly in the second 45 and deservedly levelled through the boot of Paul Green.

Not only did City lose their 100 per cent start to the season, but they also saw Jamie McCombe depart the pitch early on with a suspected broken cheekbone.

City started like a steam train, with both Michael McIndoe and Dele Adebola testing the Derby defence and Jay McEverley needing to produce a great sliding tackle to deny the latter a goal.

Cole Skuse and Robbie Savage do battle in midfield

Lee Johnson, who had created both early chances, had a shot of his own on 12 minutes which was deflected wide by Claude Davis.

The facial injury to McCombe took some of the sting out of City's attack on 15 minutes, with Brian Wilson replacing the defender and Bradley Orr moving into centre defence.

City struggled for a few minutes as they rejigged in defence, but they were soon settled once more as Maynard bagged his first goal of the season.

With 23 minutes on the clock, Gavin Williams fed Wilson down the right and his low shot was only parried out by Roy Carroll. Showing his predatory instincts, Maynard was waiting from six yards out to convert the rebound.

Jamie McAllister and Kris Commons tussle for the ball

City continued in the ascendancy with Williams firing narrowly over and Orr volleying from inside the box to force Carroll into a superb diving save.

The only response from Derby came from two Kris Commons free kicks which Chris Weale dealt with comfortably.

Derby needed the half-time interval badly, but they certainly improved after the break.

Almost immediately Rob Hulse was latching on to a raking pass from Nathan Ellington and only a sliding tackle from Wilson prevented the former Sheffield United man from levelling the scores.

However, on 52 minutes, Derby had their equaliser. Commons' cross from the right was only half-cleared by Johnson into the path of Green and the midfielder's low shot found the bottom corner despite Weale's attempted save.

Paul Green pulls Derby back on level terms at Ashton Gate

Now the Rams were motoring, with substitute Steve Davies and Ellington both going close to putting the visitors in front for the first time.

An injury to Adebola saw the introduction of Brooker in the 63rd minute and suddenly City livened up.

Orr had a powerful header blocked near the line from a McIndoe corner, and from Johnson's flag-kick Louis Carey sent a close-range header just over the top.

Late chances for Derby substitute Emanuel Villa came and went, leaving a 1-1 result and a fair reflection on the game.