TOWN chief Peter Jackson tried hard to raise a smile in the wake of Bristol City's late leveller and said: "It shows how far we have come in five weeks that we are so disappointed to draw."

The last time Jackson and his team were in the West Country, the outcome was an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Yeovil in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Since then, they have out together a five-match unbeaten run to climb from 16th to 11th in League I and keep alive outside hopes of making the play-offs.

They would have been five rather than seven points adrift of sixth-placed Tranmere had Bristol, reduced to 10 men by the 63rd-minute dismissal of goalkeeper Adriano Basso for deliberate handball outside the area, not forced an 88th-minute leveller through Lee Johnson, son of manager Gary.

"It feels like a defeat," said Jackson.

"To come to a place like this, with the kind of record they have got and where they are in the table (fifth), and create as many chances as we did is a real credit to the players.

"It shows how far we have come since the Yeovil game that we are so disappointed to draw.

"The only negative is that we failed to put away more of the chances we created."

Of the goal his side did score, a superb solo effort by Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the 52nd minute, Jackson said: "It was a wonderful goal.

"How many players did he beat? I counted seven! I think he doubled back to take the same players on again. He is well capable of that."

Jackson once again had Taylor-Fletcher playing in a more central midfield role (as opposed to wide right) and added: "I think he is playing in a position he enjoys."

Jackson handed debuts to loan duo Frank Sinclair (Burnley) and Andy Taylor (Blackburn) and said: "Andy got better as the game went on and I thought Frank was outstanding.

"He is not shy in coming forward and he has that bit of quality that comes with experience.

"The team performance was excellent, and if we can maintain it, who knows where we could end up?

"Dropping two points is disappointing, but the display gives everyone a lot of hope."

Bristol boss Johnson said: "Huddersfield will be very disappointed they haven't won the game.

"For us, the quality just wasn't there."