DELIGHTED Phil Parkinson hailed City as the talk of the town after they hit back to grab a point at unbeaten leaders Bristol City.

The Bantams twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Ashton Gate last night, Christopher Routis slamming the second equaliser five minutes from time.

City lost Andrew Davies to his calf problem in the first half and Parkinson felt they deserved plenty of plaudits for such a spirited display.

"I was talking to a couple of people round the ground before the game and they were telling me how good all their players were," he said.

"I was being told that this player and that one was going to play in the Premiership and I just thought that hopefully they will be talking about a few of ours now. Some of the stuff Yeatesy (Mark Yeates) did was another level at times.

"There were some really good performances and the lads are so pleased. We needed it as a squad and I know we can build on this."

Davies went off after 37 minutes but Alan Sheehan, who had been replaced by James Meredith at left back, stepped in and earned praise from his manager.

Parkinson said: "I thought Alan was excellent when he came on. He was disappointed to be left out but I thought Mez deserved his chance and he didn't have his greatest game on Saturday.

"But he showed great character and gave a real unselfish performance. He was always talking and I thought he marshalled the back four well.

"Dava's got this problem he's had for ages. It's a nerve problem and it's just how much he can deal with it.

"Sometimes it tightens up and he can get through it; other times he can't. We can't have that going into games worrying if he will get through it.

"You're playing away at the top of the league who are buoyant, the crowd are bouncing and then you lose your centre half.

"I'm so proud of the performance when you consider the makeshift nature of the back four for large parts of the game. Some of the football we played was outstanding.

"They play three at the back, so we knew we could exploit them in wide areas and switched the system accordingly. We looked threatening going forward.

"We probably had the most clear-cut chances on the night."

Centre half Aden Flint scored both Bristol City goals but Parkinson was convinced that keeper Jordan Pickford was fouled in the build-up.

Billy Clarke fired the first equaliser and then Routis, playing at right back in place of Stephen Darby, crashed the late leveller after substitute James Hanson flicked on a corner by Filipe Morais.

Parkinson said: "Chris had a tough night at times but he was up against a good player. I thought he struggled a bit first half but got better as the game went on.

"The one thing he will never do is shy away from having the ball and it was great to see him get the goal."

Bristol City v City picture gallery