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James Crawley writes

Posted Wednesday, September 15th 2021 @CrawleyJames92

📝 Report: Bristol City 1-1 Luton Town

Wednesday, September 15th 2021

City saw victory snatched at the death as Luton pounced late to earn a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.

The Hatters hit the woodwork twice and Dan Bentley produced some outstanding saves in the first half, but Nathan Baker rose to meet a Jay Dasilva free-kick 12 minutes after the break.

Baker’s header has City on course for their first home win of the season but there was late heartbreak as Luton substitute Danny Hylton had the simple task of a tap-in after Carlos Mendes Gomes’ cross in stoppage time.

The Background

With an upturn in recent form, there was one change to the starting XI with young Alex Scott introduced, while Andy King moved to the bench in an otherwise repeat of the matchday squad from Saturday against Preston.

What happened

It was a fairly end-to-end start with City almost capitalising on a Luton mistake as early as the opening minute. Chris Martin had intercepted a loose pass in the Hatters’ own half, he found Cameron Pring overlapping and the left-midfielder’s shot was blocked by a recovering defender.

James Bree fired over after a succession of corner for the visitors, before Pring was causing more troubles. It was bright play from him as he beat a handful of opponents before darting into space and crossing towards the far post where Scott couldn’t keep his header on target.

At the other end Harry Cornick forced Bentley into a near-post save.

The shotstopper would be kept busy as the half progressed, saving brilliantly to deny a fierce drive from former City midfielder Henri Lansbury. It was a crazy 30 seconds or so as Luke Berry fluffed his lines as he looked to follow-up on Bentley’s parry, before Pelly-Ruddiock Mpanzu crashed a shot off the crossbar and Cameron Jerome headed just wide in a flurry of chances for Nathan Jones’ men.

Nigel Pearson then looked to his bench, with Scott replaced by Nahki Wells late into the first half, before Tomas Kalas struck narrowly wide on the half-volley.

The Hatters forced more efforts before the half-time whistle with Jerome meeting a low cross but Bentley denied him from close range, while Tom Lockyer hit the post with nothing to separate the sides at the break.

Zak Vyner was switched out for Dasilva for the start of the second half and the left-back would make an impact, snatching an assist. Pring was fouled to win a free kick and Dasilva’s delivery was perfect for Baker, who guided his header into the far corner.

Chances were few and far between as the game continued, with Jones looking to his bench with his three substitutions made nine minutes apart.

They were chasing the game and went on to secure the sucker-punch point just as the game entered four minutes of added time. For Luton it was their subs who combined with Gomes capitalising as Bentley looked to thwart an attack at his near post, however the ball broke kindly for the Hatters’ player, who crossed for the unmarked Hylton who tapped home in front of the Atyeo Stand.