BRISTOL'S CLARKSON NOW BACK IN TOP GEAR

BRISTOL CITY 1 COVENTRY 1

David Clarkson is determined to make a mark on the Championship by the end of a frustrating first season at Ashton Gate.

The 24-year-old Scot netted only his second goal for Bristol to earn a point from this mid-table scrap and ease pressure on manager Gary Johnson.

Clarkson’s first goal had come on the opening day of the season against Preston following his summer move from Motherwell.

After that he was laid low for five weeks by a mystery virus from which he has only just fully recovered.

“I had to go through a second pre-season training programme to fully regain my strength and fitness,” he said. “The illness couldn’t have come at a worse time just as I was looking to impress at a new club.

“But I’m fine now. I’ve always been confident I can score goals at this level.”

Clarkson’s precise low finish in the 83rd-minute, soon after coming on as a substitute, was just the tonic Bristol needed in their first home game since the 6-0 humiliation against Cardiff.

It cancelled out David Bell’s 20-yard volley for Coventry shortly after the break. But Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman was happy enough with a point.

“We know we need to strengthen our options up front. I’m hopeful of making two loan signings within the next week,” he said.

Johnson had to make a late change when Jemal Campbell-Ryce suffered a calf strain in the warm-up.

Like top scorer Nicky Maynard, who limped off with a dead leg, he is unlikely to be fit for tomorrow night’s trip to Watford.

» MORE 'FOOTBALL' HERE...

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