Bristol City failed to win an eighth game in a row at Ashton Gate although Anton Semino’s header secured a replay at Swansea City.
The visitors dominated the first half but the Robins’ dominance after half-time deserved a Semino goal.
Seminyo headed home with 15 minutes remaining as Swansea failed to clear.
The visitors were gifted the lead on 15 minutes when Rob Atkinson’s terrific pass went straight to Liam Cullen, who teed up Joel Pirro with a tap-in.
The replay winners will host either Chesterfield or West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round.
Swansea and Bristol City’s managers can be disappointed not to settle for a tie on the day, with Swansea completely in control before the break but unable to add to the goals gifted by the hosts.
Bristol City have progressed in just four of their last 15 FA Cup third-round ties, but will take heart from the fact they have never been knocked out by Swans before the replay at the Liberty Stadium. Three times progressing against the Welsh team.
Pressure on Pearson
Robins manager Pearson – who admitted this week he is under pressure to keep his job – named a surprisingly strong side, with just one change for the league draw with Coventry, Tommy Conway replacing Wells. , although Conway was withdrawn through injury after 25 minutes. .
Swansea boss Russell Martin also opted to make just one change from the defeat to Burnley last time out, with Nathan Wood coming on for Harry Darling.
Pearson has been in focus after his side won just one of their last 10 league games and would have been surprised by the way they conceded the first goal.
They gave Swansea a complete gift as Liam Cullen intercepted Rob Atkinson’s inbound pass, making Peru the easiest of tasks.
Atkinson believed he had made amends at the end of the first period, but referee Craig Pawson dismissed his strong claim for a penalty.
Pawson also turned down Alex Scott’s penalty appeal after the break as the hosts piled the pressure on the visitors.
Pearson’s side had not won any of their last seven home games, with their last success coming at Ashton Gate in August, but they showed good spirit despite creating few chances.
The hosts got an equalizer with 15 minutes remaining as Semino’s header beat goalkeeper Steven Benda, who got his hands on the ball.
The momentum was all with the Robins and Benda saved brilliantly to deny Wales as the home fans felt a winner.
Both sides had chances to avoid a replay but Max O’Leary saved Jay Fulton’s powerful effort and Joe Williams’ superb cross somehow eluded everyone in the Swansea penalty area.
Bristol City Manager Nigel Pearson said:
“There were two penalty decisions in the first half that went against us when first Anton Semino and then Rob Atkinson went down. I don’t know why.
“Then in the second half, whenever balls were played into the box, they were allowed to grab our players and drag them to the ground.
“Rob Atkinson took his mistake well. He didn’t dwell on it and I can’t fault any player’s effort.
“Going to the World Cup with Ghana was good for Antoine Seminyo. He had just recovered from a broken shin at the start of the season, so missed a lot of the build-up.”
Swansea City manager Russell Martin told:
“We were fantastic in the first half. Some of our build-up play was incredible.
“But when we get into the opposition box we need to create more chances. The boys were a bit too rushed at times and lacked quality.
“They had a couple of penalty shouts, but I was very pleased with our composure at the back, which limited them to very few chances.
“We talked at half-time about the need to maintain that intensity. But Bristol changed shape, threw caution to the wind, and we didn’t play with enough aggression to sustain it. “
