Bristol City 1 Coventry City 1: As a bulging net confirmed David Clarkson's first Championship goal in more than six months, the collective sense of relief which swirled around Ashton Gate was almost tangible.

Soundly thrashed 6-0 by arch-rivals Cardiff in their last home game, City's hard-pressed players and management needed another defeat in front of their own fans like the proverbial hole in the head.

Yet that unpalatable prospect became a distinct possibility once David Bell had swept Coventry in front early in the second half.

Indeed, the Sky Blues were just 16 minutes away from a historic first win in BS3 since 1963 when Clarkson announced himself from the substitutes' bench. His introduction proved an inspired move on the part of City boss Gary Johnson, who opted to gamble and throw caution to the wind in a bid to salvage the point which represented the minimum requirement for a team denuded of confidence following a meagre return of two wins in 15 outings.

Clarkson last scored against Preston at Deepdale on the opening day of the season, since when he has been affected by serious illness and endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

This was the chance he craved, and the summer signing from Motherwell certainly made the most of a rare opportunity to impress.

Just seven minutes remained when Louis Carey rose majestically to nod Jamie McAllister's deep centre in the path of Clarkson, who demonstrated the predatory instincts of a born poacher to score an equaliser which could yet prove a crucial turning point in City's season.

His second Championship goal was certainly well worth the wait and the Scotland international afterwards admitted: "It could be a very important one for us.

"After losing 6-0 in our last game here, the absolute last thing we wanted was another home defeat.

"We could have been two or three goals up, but instead we've gone a goal behind and found ourselves in a position where we have to fight to come back and save the game.

"It was very important to come back from a goal down, because no-one wanted to walk back into the dressing room afterwards having lost again.

"I thought we worked very hard to get a point and scoring late in the game like that gives everyone a little lift."

Already installed as his team's saviour, the 23-year-old striker could so easily have been the hero had he made more of the injury-time opportunity which came his way. Again finding himself in the right place at the right time, Clarkson strained every sinew in his neck in a bid to guide a header inside a post, only to see the ball drift agonisingly wide.

He said: "It was a good chance and, for a moment there, I thought I'd managed to score the winner. I tried to steer the ball into the top corner but, unfortunately, it's gone the wrong side of the post and we've had to settle for a draw."

Although Clarkson and his team-mates would no doubt have settled for a draw when Bell's fierce drive found the corner of Dean Gerken's net just 53 seconds into the second half, a point represented a disappointing return considering the amount of possession afforded the home side by cagey opponents who displayed only limited ambition.

City may have stopped the rot in the wake of the Cardiff debacle, but they must now rediscover the art of winning games and, for that to happen, manager Johnson has first to hit upon a more potent attacking formula.

Solid in defence and midfield, the Robins nevertheless lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch and Nicky Maynard's loss of form is fast becoming a concern. Bereft of ideas at times, City only really threatened a recovery once Coventry elected to protect their slender advantage by taking refuge deep inside their own half.

Their fragile confidence further compromised by Bell's opportunistic strike, the home side could easily have gone under had Coventry pushed. That they found a way back into the game was attributable, in large part, to their dogged refusal to waver in the face of adversity and Johnson's intuitive substitutions.

Called upon to replace the injured Maynard after 52 minutes, Danny Haynes did enough to suggest he is first in line to replace the 11-goal top-scorer should he not be deemed fit for tomorrow's Championship assignment against Watford at Vicarage Road. Prepared to run at defenders and go past them, the former Ipswich man made his presence felt and enabled City to operate in behind a packed defence for the first time.

Similarly, Ivan Sproule's blistering pace posed problems for a Sky Blues defence which had been permitted the luxury of sitting comfortably behind the ball throughout a forgettable first half.

If their enterprise laid the foundations for an improved second-half display, Clarkson's predatory instincts were still needed before possession could be translated into the hard currency of goals. More of the same will surely be required in the weeks ahead if City are to keep themselves in the hunt for a play-off place and not fall away.