CITY'S long wait for a win in front of their own fans will continue after they failed to break down a stubborn Swansea in this feisty Anglo-Welsh derby.

Without a victory on home soil since Norwich were beaten in Bristol on October 18, the Robins have now drawn seven times in 11 games at Ashton Gate.

And this was another exercise in frustration for their hard-pressed supporters.

City created enough chances to have sealed victory, only to be denied by an outstanding display from Swans goalkeeper Dorus De Vries.

In inspired form, the Dutch stopper pulled off two breathtaking saves, once to keep out Louis Carey's header and again when somehow clawing away Stern John's downward header from close range.

Robins boss Gary Johnson made four changes to the side beaten 2-0 by Preston seven days earlier.

Liam Fontaine deputised for suspended left-back Jamie McAllister, Cole Skuse came in for the injured Lee Johnson and loan signing Stern John lined up alongside Nicky Maynard in attack after Dele Adebola failed a fitness test.

And there was also a recall for Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule, who started ahead of David Noble.

Under pressure to improve upon a modest record of just two wins in 10 home games in the Championship this season, City began in positive fashion and should have taken the lead on 10 minutes.

Maynard led a quick breakaway and fed Skuse, whose pin-point cross fell invitingly for the unmarked John. But the Trinidad & Tobago striker steered his header over the cross bar from six yards out.

John was again wayward when rushing his shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Michael McIndoe made a better fist of things moments later, forcing Swans keeper Dorus De Vries to dive full length

Skuse again opened up Swansea's defence with a superb lofted pass, only for McIndoe to stumble and pass up the chance of a shot.

Forced to defend for much of the time, the visitors served notice of their ability to counter attack at pace, Jason Scotland skipping inside Jamie McCombe and unleashing a fearsome left-footed drive which flashed inches beyond the far post.

City responded almost immediately, McIndoe whipping in a free kick from the right and Louis Carey getting the slightest of touches with his head, only to be denied by a startling full-length save from De Vries.

When the breakthrough failed to materialise, City succumbed to frustration and Carey and Maynard were shown yellow cards as tempers flared.

The action continued to be frenetic and scrappy after the break, but City again looked the more likely to score.

McCombe rifled a shot wide after being set-up by John and Skuse saw an effort blocked by Swans skipper Garry Monk as the home side applied concerted pressure.

City came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock on the hour mark, Marvin Elliott rising at the far post to meet Brian Wilson's deep cross with a downward header which required Ashley Williams and Monk to scramble off the line with keeper De Vries beaten all ends up.

When the action switched to the other end, Jordi Gomez sent a venomous drive wide of the target and substitute Alan Tate shot straight at Adriano Basso from an acute angle.

City hearts were again in mouths when Gomez sent a curling free kick flashing past Basso's upright and behind for a goal kick.

Former Swans hero Lee Trundle replaced the tiring Maynard 17 minutes from time and received a rapturous welcome from both sets of fans.

But it was Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley who caught the eye with a precise chip shot which was athletically tipped over by Basso, who then stood his ground to save from substitute Gorka Pintado.

De Vries again came to Swansea's rescue five minutes from time, hurling himself in the way of John's downward header to leave the striker rubbing his eyes in disbelief.