Bristol City hit back to draw at Watford

Scott Twine’s free-kick earned Bristol City a 1-1 draw at Watford.

Marc Bola netted his first Hornets goal to put the hosts ahead after just six minutes but Twine ensured injury-hit City avoided losing for a third time in six days by denying Watford a fifth straight home win.

Twine spurned a decent chance to give the Robins into a second-minute lead, firing wide from the edge of the box after Anis Mehmeti had sparked a swift counter attack.

Watford replied by taking the lead in the sixth minute. Imran Louza was the architect with a 70-yard pass from his own half that saw Bola sprint in behind the City defence.

The former Arsenal youngster’s first touch was top class, allowing him to slot calmly past goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

City lived dangerously when Haydon Roberts’ challenge toppled Jeremy Petris in the box but referee Paul Tierney saw nothing untoward.

Vitek was able to parry Edo Kayembe’s drive as Watford came again – and the Czech, on loan from Manchester United, was required to make another stop on the line when Nestory Irankunda arrived untracked at the back post.

Mehmeti launched a long-ranger that was comfortably saved by Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik as City eventually regained some poise.

City drew level in the 29th minute after Petris brought Sinclair Armstrong down on the edge of the box and Twine hammered the free-kick past the wall to beat Selvik at his near post.

Zak Vyner made an important block from Mamadou Doumbia to stop Watford regaining the lead soon after.

Armstrong won a free-kick on the edge of the box four minutes into the second period but this time Twine opted to cross into the box and Watford cleared.

Luca Kjerrumgaard sent a tame header at Vitek before Selvik pulled off a good save at the other end to tip a low drive from Mehmeti round a post.

It had developed into an end-to-end affair, with Bola failing to hit the target from close range from Watford’s next attack of note.

Selvik did well to get a leg in the way of a shot from Armstrong as he bore down on goal.

Substitute Othmane Maamma saw a first time effort batted away by Vitek at his near post after City failed to deal with a corner, with the goalkeeper pulling off an even better stop within seconds to keep out Kjerrumgaard’s header.

Vitek was needed again, this time to parry a shot from Kwadwo Baah, another Hornets substitute. Watford dominated the final minutes with Tom Ince, another substitute, seeing a shot saved but City hung on.