FORTY-FIVE years ago today Ashton Gate staged a dramatic tussle that saw six goals shared, after Town had led twice in their bid to end the campaign in the top two and ultimately stage top-flight football in 1970/71.

But 15 minutes from the end, they found themselves trailing 3-2 following a controversial decision by Leicester referee John Hunting.

Rod Thomas and City’s John Galley both went up for an Alan Skirton cross but neither player appeared to make contact as the ball struck the bar and bounced to safety.

The man in black however gave City a penalty for handball against Town’s Welsh defender and Bobby Kellard gave Peter Downsborough no chance from the spot.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:
Rod Thomas was adjudged to have conceded a
controversial penalty in the draw at Bristol City in 1970

Thankfully for the visitors, City’s Ken Wimshurst restored parity with six minutes to go when he could only divert a low centre from Don Rogers past his own keeper Mike Gibson.

Town had struck early, taking full advantage of Galley’s failure to convert a sixth-minute chance. Rogers raced down the left past Trevor Jacobs before floating a cross to the far post where Arthur Horsfield dived to head home.

Gerry Sharpe thought he had equalised just before the break, only to see his effort disallowed for a foul on Downsborough.

But Swindon were caught cold straight after the interval when a ‘route one’ ball from Sharpe deceived Thomas and his mistimed clearance fell kindly for Galley.

This time the City centre-forward made no mistake, although his effort looked to have taken a touch off Stan Harland before beating the keeper.

Town nudged ahead again just before the hour when John Smith sent a high centre into the box that should have been cleared by one of two waiting home defenders. But instead they both went for the ball and as they collided the predatory Horsfield fired the loose ball low past Gibson.

City levelled once more midway through the second half when Sharpe again beat Downsborough after his first shot had been charged down by Frank Burrows.

A point apiece was probably a fair outcome for both clubs and it left Fred Ford’s Swindon only two points behind second-placed Blackpool with a game in hand - which was away at league leaders Huddersfield three days later.

That too ended all square, at 1-1.