Randell impresses but Robins rocked by Riis injury concern

Talking points from Bristol City's draw against Derby at Pride Park, by Dan Carter

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FOR Bristol City fans, the first few weeks of the new season and Gerhard Struber's tenure have been full of optimism and hope.

When you've been around the Championship long enough, however, you know there will be one or two bumps in the road over the course of the long season.

While last weekend’s draw with Charlton was frustrating, the Robins suffered their first real “hit in the face” of the campaign on Friday night when a late Carlton Morris goal denied them what would have been a battling away win over Derby County at Pride Park.

The phrase ‘you couldn't write it’ is often bandied about in football, particularly after late goals, but in truth, this draw followed a script with which City supporters are familiar. Having started on the back foot, Struber’s side found their footing in the game midway through the first half before getting their noses ahead thanks to Scott Twine’s third goal of the season.

Had they been dominant? No, but they were the side in the ascendancy and deserved their lead at the break. Given the Rams’ struggles so far this season, it felt like a strong start to the second period, and an early goal would be more than enough to wrap up the three points and kill the game.

But as the minutes ticked on in the second half, the Robins were pushed deeper and deeper, and while Radek Vitek had little to do, the one-goal lead never felt comfortable. Ultimately, that discomfort proved to be justified as Morris somehow snuck past Rob Dickie on the goalline with less than five minutes of normal time to play, after Vitek had pulled off a magnificent initial save to deny Joe Ward.