Nigel Pearson couldn't shy away from feeling disappointed for his players after their efforts against promotion-chasing Middlesbrough ended with just a point in a four-goal thriller at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City looked destined to pick up back-to-back wins over the Easter period after Harry Cornick doubled the host's lead minutes into the second half when he tapped home Nahki Wells' cross for his first goal since his January deadline day move from Luton.
Sam Bell had fired the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time to cap off a frantic first half. Cornick and Andi Weimann both missed good opportunities early on while Middlesbrough were carrying a threat themselves with Chuba Akpom and Matt Crooks proving a handful in attack.
But it was City who broke the deadlock when Cornick's endeavour was rewarded when he won the ball deep in Boro's half, squaring it to Bell who scored his second league goal of the season. The visitors didn't look as though they were going to get back into the game, that was until Aaron Ramsey grabbed a goal out of nothing.
Tommy Smith's delivery found his run at the back post to score in front of the travelling fans before a Cam Pring error allowed Crooks to score an equaliser six minutes later. Both sides were chasing the three points and Zak Vyner almost won it when he fired over from close range.
"I thought we played well, disappointed not to pick up the three points," Pearson said after the game. "That just illustrates that we know we need to strengthen in defensive areas and to have more depth there.
"Both goals were avoidable in some ways, the first was not tracking runners, but it was a good cross and a good header. The second one was just a poor decision in terms of clearing it.
"Row Z would have been better but I've got no complaints about the commitment of the players and the way we took the game to a very good Middlesbrough. I'm just disappointed for the players because they put a lot into today.
"Fair play to Middlesbrough, they are always a threat and they probably thought they could have gone on and won it too so that's the nature of this league."
The draw leaves City nine points adrift of the play-offs and although it's beyond them this season, the performance is a further indication of the levels Pearson's side need to perform at to force their way into the top six reckoning next season.
He added: "It's a tough league to be consistently good in and when you consider how many points short we are of the playoff places, it's not a massive shift. When you look at today, two points dropped and other games when we should have got that or that, over the course of the season, nine points is probably a bit of decision-making and maturity.
"I'm realistic too, we have a lot of young players in our team and squad in either their first or second seasons and that's one of the trade-offs when you have a lot of young players, you're going to have times where the consistency is lacking somewhat."
Pearson also praised Cornick's impact on the game. He's taken some time to settle into life in BS3 but is showing why City prized him away from Luton in the New Year. Pearson said: "It's just important he goes out there and plays like he is. We brought him because he works hard and is effective in games.
"He got an assist and a goal, good for him. The bottom line is, it's about players being game effective and he gives us a different style of player."
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