Wolves 1 Bristol City 1: Fontaine hit opens up window of opportunity for Johnson
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Your support makes all the difference.Unlike his team Bristol City, who were allowed by Wolves to wriggle off the hook in this combative draw, Liam Fontaine is in no mood for mercy.
Christmas countdown or not, payment in full is now expected on the promise by the manager Gary Johnson to bare his backside publicly if the central defender ever broke his goal duck.
In Dave Bassett-speak, Fontaine had not previously been able to hit a cow's arse with a banjo in almost 100 games for Johnson at Yeovil Town and their current club. After guiding in a 27th-minute header, though, he is eagerly anticipating the day extra space is made among the dummies in the Burton's window, in Bristol city centre.
"I won't let him off," the 21-year-old said. "It started when we played Brentford in the Carling Cup and I almost scored. The manager said I'd never score and it grew from there. Soccer AM had some T-shirts made but the gaffer told me even they had lost faith in me and stopped wearing them. He's a massive motivator. I've worked with him since I was 17 and he has been on at me for years to score. We joke but there's a serious side to it."
Fontaine inflicted on Wolves the first goal they had conceded at home since 18 September, as Michael McIndoe's deep free-kick against his former club exposed shocking marking five minutes after Jay Bothroyd's volleyed opener.
Bristol, following four straight victories, should have been sunk by half-time but grew more forceful and Mick McCarthy was gracious enough to say they were the better side in the second half. Not by accident are they second in the table and, scarce though clear chances were, the Wolves manager was impressed with their resilience.
Goals: Bothroyd (22) 1-0; Fontaine (27) 1-1.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Hennessey; Foley, D Ward, Craddock, Collins; Kightly (Potter, 81), Henry, Olofinjana, S Ward (Eastwood, 84); Keogh, Bothroyd (Jarvis, 69). Substitutes not used: Stack (gk), Little.
Bristol City (4-4-2): Basso; Orr, Fontaine, Carey, McAllister; Sproule (Murray, 69), Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe; Byfield (Noble, 77), Trundle (McCombe, 88). Substitutes not used: Henderson (gk), Skuse.
Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).
Booked: Wolverhampton Keogh, Kightly; Bristol Byfield, Carey, Fontaine, Sproule.
Man of the match: Kightly.
Attendance: 26,094.
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