Steve Cotterill believes his Bristol City team deserved to beat Watford this evening but described the Hornets as “a great club with really nice people”.

A frantic 60 seconds late into the second half saw both clubs score in the FA Cup third round tie at Ashton Gate, with Sean Murray’s opener for the Golden Boys swiftly cancelled out by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

The Hornets arguably edged an entertaining first half but then the home team were the better side during a poor second period.

Cotterill said: “I thought we played very, very well today. I think we deserved to win the game. I don’t think it was a two or a 3-0 but I think we definitely deserved to nick the game. It was a good game.

“They are a great club with really nice people there. There is a new manager in there now so they’ll be looking to grow in the Championship. It was a tough game for our boys today, but I thought we played really, really well.”

When asked if either side would have wanted a reply, Cotterill replied: “We didn’t want a replay. That’s why I made three subs. I really went for it and tried to leave two at the back if we could, let alone three. We went it for it and tried to shuffle the full-backs right on.

“Then we got done with a bit of a sucker goal really. It went through Marvin Elliott’s legs and the goalkeeper was unsighted, so we were disappointed with that goal really.

“If the one from Lewis McGugan would have gone in, in the first half when Elliott Parish tipped round the post, then you could understand that. It would have been a goal worthy of winning a game.

“I know all about Lewis and I did warn the boys, so they’ve had a good look at him now, that’s for sure.”

For Watford head coach Beppe Sannino's reaction to the draw at Ashton Gate, click here.