A fine free-kick from Darren Potter earned Sheffield Wednesday a deserved point in a typical end-of-season affair with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

A well-worked 25th-minute goal from Lee Johnson, son of City boss Gary, had looked as though it would be enough to give the home side a first win in seven attempts, bringing to an end a run of form that has undone their promotion aspirations.

But with the game drifting towards a home vistory, on-loan Wolves midfielder Potter curled a 20-yard effort beyond the reach of Adriano Basso to earn Brian Laws' men a result worthy of their second-half showing.

The home side were marginally the better of the two sides in a tepid opening half, with Johnson's goal the highlight as both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Francis Jeffers, after being played in by Leon Clarke, wasted the best of the early offerings, driving low against the body of Basso, while Marvin Elliott drilled a long-range effort wide for City.

When the first goal came, it was a strike worthy of any game, with Johnson starting and finishing a move that saw him plunder his third goal of the season.

The midfielder broke the play up in his own half and shifted the ball on to Gavin Williams, who in turn fed Nicky Maynard. With Johnson continuing his run, Maynard threaded a pass through to Johnson who swept home beyond Lee Grant from the edge of the area.

Izzy Iriekpen flashed a header over the bar moments later as City pressed for a quickfire second, although Clarke and Marcus Tudgay both passed up chances as Wednesday reminded the Robins of their threat.

But City remained the most dangerous before the break, with Ivan Sproule seeing an effort blocked and his drive on the rebound well saved by Grant.

Wednesday started the second-half with a greater purpose and Clarke was soon forcing Basso into a smart save low to his right with an effort on-the-turn from the edge of the box, while Sean McAllister had a drive deflected wide as the Owls increased their participation in the contest.

Potter also took aim from distance for the visitors, with Clarke then forcing a neat parry from Basso after he beat Liam Fontaine for pace and fired in a shot.

Despite Gary Johnson introducing Dele Adebola, Scott Murray and Lee Trundle - all of whom could be leaving the club at the end of the season - from the bench, City were unable to find any real energy and when Johnson brought Clarke down with two minutes remaining, Potter swung in the second goal of his loan spell to level matters.

Adebola then warmed Grant's palms with a low strike but it was too little, too late for City.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Skuse, Iriekpen, Fontaine, McAllister, Sproule (Murray 65), Johnson, Williams, Elliott,McIndoe (Trundle 77), Maynard (Adebola 65).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, McCombe.

Booked: McAllister.

Goals: Johnson 25.

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Hinds, Wood, Spurr, Tudgay, McAllister, Potter, Esajas (Johnson 45), Jeffers (O'Connor 69),Clarke.

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Beevers, Boden.

Goals: Potter 88.

Att: 17,486

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).