bristol city vs wrexham: Max Bird's late stunner rescues Robins at Ashton Gate
Max Bird produced a spectacular late volley in the 89th minute (ET) to salvage a 2-2 draw for Bristol City against Wrexham at Ashton Gate, denying the visitors a fifth successive away victory and leaving both teams clinging to hopes of a play-off push.
Second-half fightback and key moments
The match settled into a tense rhythm in the first half, but it was Wrexham who struck first. Ollie Rathbone profited when Callum Doyle's cross deflected into his path and the midfielder lashed a first-time finish beyond the goalkeeper on 34 minutes. The goal reflected growing control from the visitors as they hunted a valuable away result.
Bristol City responded decisively at the interval. Manager Gerhard Struber introduced Sinclair Armstrong, Delano Burgzorg and Jason Knight, changes that immediately altered the game’s momentum. Just 15 seconds after the restart Tomi Horvat forced a sharp save, and a minute later Armstrong cut inside and fired home from a narrow angle to restore parity and end a seven-game goal drought.
The contest opened up, with both sides creating chances. Radek Vitek produced a smart stop from a Callum Doyle header earlier on, and later Nathan Broadhead and Armstrong had efforts that tested the defences. Wrexham regained the lead in the 76th minute when a cross from Issa Kabore was turned into his own net by substitute Joe Williams, handing the visitors the advantage once more.
Late drama and implications for the table
With 20 minutes left, Wrexham pushed to protect their lead, bringing on top scorer Kieffer Moore alongside Josh Windass and George Dobson. A gilt-edged chance arrived for Dobson nine minutes from time following slick build-up between Windass and Moore, but he dragged the shot wide — a miss that proved costly.
In the final stages City were rewarded. On his first outing in five months, Max Bird climbed off the bench and connected with Jason Knight's delivery, volleying the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and over the line in the 89th minute (ET). The strike was as emphatic as it was dramatic, earning Bristol City a share of the spoils and sparking relief among the home supporters.
The point moves Wrexham up to seventh, level on points with the side immediately above them, while Bristol City remain ninth and sit just one point outside the top six — a slim margin that ensures the promotion race will remain intense heading into the closing stages of the season.
Tactical takeaways and player notes
Struber’s triple substitution at half-time was the decisive tactical call. Armstrong’s quick equaliser underlined the impact of fresh legs and a more aggressive attacking shape, while Bird’s late intervention highlighted the value of experienced options on the bench. For Wrexham, Rathbone’s composed finish and the team’s first-half control demonstrated their threat on the break, but defensive lapses at critical moments cost them two points.
Goalkeepers on both sides were kept busy. Radek Vitek had to be alert to early headers and crosses, while City’s keeper produced several saves to keep his side in the contest before Bird’s late strike. Substitutions from both managers injected urgency into the fixture and produced the key turning points.
As the Championship schedule tightens, both clubs will feel they can take positives from a pulsating encounter: Wrexham in extending their good away form and picking up a point that keeps them in the hunt, and Bristol City in showing resilience and belief to overturn adversity and salvage a crucial result on home soil.
