Goalless draw at Ashton Gate
Fleetwood did brilliantly to draw 0-0 at Bristol City but will need a replay to progress to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup.
David Ball had Town’s best chance in the first half, but was denied by Frank Fielding from close range, whilst Corey Smith had the hosts’ best chance in the opening 45 minutes.
There were two changes to the Town line-up that beat Shrewsbury 1-0 last time out. George Glendon and David Ball were in from the start, meaning Chris Long and Victor Nirennold dropped to the bench. Meanwhile for the Robins, they made four changes that included debuts being handed to ex-Preston North End man Bailey Wright and new signings Jens Hegeler and 6”6 striker Milan Djuric.
The away following were in fine voice and this reflected the start made by the team as it was Uwe Rosler’s side who made the better start of the two sides.
The first period of action came when Conor McLaughlin and Devante Cole exchanged well down the right-hand side. Cole did well to get the by-line and the recalled Ball - who saw his shot saved well at the near post by Fielding.
The Championship hosts responded well, however their first effort came in vein when midfielder Lee Tomlin saw his effort easily saved by Alex Cairns.
Yet Bristol continued their pressure and came close when new signing Djuric turned well, but his left-footed effort could only find the side netting – confusing some sections of the ground who thought it was in.
For all the hosts pressure, Cole and Ball were looking electric up-front causing the Bristol defence some harm and it was Ball who came close again, but the striker could not steer his effort on target.
A feature of how Fleetwood play is when one wing-back finds his opposite number - Left-back Amari’i Bell steered over McLaughlin’s cross.
With 10 minutes to half-time the visitors almost played their way into trouble at the back, but Korey Smith could not direct his shot past Cairns, who spread himself well. Credit also to new-boy Ben Davies, who impressively mopped up the resulting pressure.
Similarly to Town, the Robins were utilising their full-backs well, but the impressive Joe Bryan who had demonstrated his array of talent in the first-half could not find the bottom corner of the net, as his guided effort whistled past the post.
The only change as the two sides came out for the second half saw hosts keeper Fielding replaced by Richard O’Donnell.
The half began with Fleetwood asserting their passing dominance over the hosts, as the Cod Army kept the ball well, playing out from defence frustrating their opponents.
It shortly was not long before danger man Tammy Abraham would have his first real effort of the game, cutting in well from the left, but following the trend - his shot was wayward of the target.
As the game reached the hour mark, the chants from the away section of the crowd grew and drowning any or if not all the sound of the home crowd.
Uwe Rosler’s side looked resilient in defence, and lead by stalwart Nathan Pond the five across the back were proving a difficult barrier to cross for the Championship side.
The world record holder showed no signs of age and was using his experience well to nullify Abraham.
A frustrating afternoon continued for Abraham who after his missed opportunities elected to pass across the six-yard box as opposed to shoot, but nobody was on the receiving end as the ball rolled weakly out of play.
However never to doubt a good man when he is down, Abraham was to hit post, seeing his glancing effort from a free-kick beat Cairns but not the framework of the goal.
A nervy end was to follow for Town, with each team wanting to play their ace. It became a game of counter striker where each team would break on one another.
Hearts were in away fans mouths when substitute Marlon Pack when his deflected strike loop onto the top of the netting, but Pond and co defended the resulting corner well.
As the game was concluding into a neutral affair, it was the visitors who enjoyed the latter stages of play, but unable to be separated the replay will be on Tuesday 17th January.
Fleetwood: Cairns; McLaughlin; Pond, Davies, Bolger, Bell; Glendon (Nirennold), Grant, Dempsey (Long); Cole (Hunter), Ball. Subs not used: Neal, Jonsson, Davis, Sowerby.