Middlesbrough 1-1 Bristol City
Last updated on .From the section Football
Bristol City were reduced to 10 men at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough but still collected a valuable point in their fight against relegation.
Debutant Hogan Ephraim put City ahead with their first away goal of 2012, clipping the ball deftly over home keeper Jason Steele.
Malaury Martin equalised for the hosts before Robins full-back Ryan McGivern was sent off for a professional foul.
But Boro failed to take advantage or even test City keeper Dean Gerken.
The point keeps Derek McInnes's side out of the relegation zone, while Boro, who are fifth, will be left frustrated at failing to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
The visitors started quickly as Jon Stead teed up Stephen Pearson, but the Scot could not manoeuvre the ball onto his left foot quickly enough to get his shot in.
The Robins then took the lead when Pearson played in Ephraim, who got away from Matthew Bates before delicately clipping the ball over the on-rushing Jason Steele.
The home side's failure to so much as draw a save from Gerken saw the Teessiders booed off at half-time.
But their fortunes improved after the break as Martin, who scored a stunning late winner at Ashton Gate earlier in the season, let fly from just outside the box to equalise.
Life was made more difficult for the visitors as McGivern bundled over Lukas Jutkiewicz with the striker bearing down on goal. McGivern, deemed the last man, was dismissed by referee Colin Webster.
However, Boro failed to test Gerken again and, despite a frantic finish, neither side could find a winner.
