Bristol City assistant head coach Chris Hogg admitted mixed emotions after the Robins came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at Stoke.
Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran had put the Potters 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour before a brace from Nahki Wells inside three minutes early in the second half hauled the Robins level.
The draw extended Bristol City’s unbeaten run to six matches as they continued to be without head coach Liam Manning following the death of this son Theo earlier this month.
“It is mixed emotions in the group really,” said Hogg.
“(Being) 2-0 down away from home, naturally you would take a point, but in terms of moments and opportunities there are a few disappointed players.
“They get an early goal then go 2-0 and you are stood there thinking ‘what is this going to be in terms of a performance?’
“But I felt quite calm though in the first half because we still had moments and chances where we knew if we could adjust a few things at half-time we had the quality and belief in the group we could go and hurt them.
“In terms of the quality of chances we were creating and getting into some good areas. At half time it was just about being ruthless with the ball and taking opportunities when you do get them.
“The group has been terrific in terms of everything that has been going on in the last 10 days and on the back of the weekend we spoke about getting a good start and a foot in the game, but credit to Stoke.”
Hogg added: “It takes a tragic event really in terms of bringing everyone close and it has been a horrible 10 days.
“Hopefully the supporters tonight have seen a team they can be proud of in terms of a character and spirit to come back and fight and scrap to get something out of the game.
“Credit to Nahki for getting his goals, it makes me smile because the lads are delighted for him as well.”
Stoke boss Narcis Pelach bemoaned another loss of control after his side had looked in control following their fast start.
“The start of the game is really good,” Pelach said.
“We start fast, we start energetic, we start much better than them. They were passive, the opposite, this gave us the chance to be 2-0 up.
“But then after the second goal, we lost control, not comfortable with what I have seen, so I said to the team at half time ‘it is not good enough, we need to go and kill that game because we are losing control’.
“In the second half we lose even more control. I am disappointed the way the game went, Bristol is a good side, I was worried before the game, I knew they are in good form.
Pelach, whose side fought back to draw 1-1 against Norwich on Saturday, added: “I have the feeling that we rescued a point.
“That is why when I saw one goal in the second half, players having doubts and being fragile, I decided to put in a back five to rescue a point.
“We have a point now, so it is another game unbeaten – but of course we have to be disappointed. I am not happy at all with what I have seen today.”
