Bristol City 2-2 Newcastle: The Daily Mirror match report

City chairman Steve Lansdown says his phone has been buzzing with 'quality applications' for the vacant manager's job at Ashton Gate.

Alan Curbishley, Steve Coppell and Gareth Southgate are among the big names being linked with the position following the departure of Gary Johnson last week.

But one man who has not yet confirmed his interest is caretaker-boss Keith Millen. And on this evidence he could be a dark horse in the race for the hot-seat.

Millen's first game at the helm brought a display full of passion against the Championship leaders, who had to stage a storming second half fightback to earn a point.

Lansdown was certainly impressed. "Keith showed he can organise the team well and the players gave everything for him and the club," he said.

"I've had to recharge my phone a few times because I have already had dozens of quality applications.

"But we are in no hurry to appoint and if things continue to go well it will buy us time to make the right decision.

"Keith is welcome to apply and if he does he will be considered very seriously. The aim will be to sift the names under consideration down to three or four and talk in depth to those people."

At 43, and after more than ten years with City as player, coach and assistant-manager, it would appear the perfect time for former Brentford and Watford defender Millen to step up.

But he insisted: "I'm not looking beyond picking a team for Tuesday night's game against Barnsley. It's a fantastic job, but we need a couple of wins to guarantee safety in the Championship and I don't want any outside distractions."

Johnson left the club with a glowing recommendation of his number two and there was even a character reference from Newcastle boss Chris Hughton after this game.

"I have known Keith since we were team-mates at Brentford for a season at the end of my playing career," said Hughton. "He was a very good centre half and a very good person, who has become an excellent coach."

The Toon boss was more concerned about the loss of two points after seeing his aristocrats made to look poor relations by a Lewin Nyatanga tap-in on ten minutes and a superb Nicky Maynard strike just before the break.

Newcastle dominated the second half, but it took a dreadful error from City's otherwise brilliant goalkeeper Dean Gerken to hand them a lifeline.

His misjudged throw-out to Cole Skuse on 71 minutes gifted possession to Jonas Gutierrez, who ran through to score. Four minutes later Andy Carroll shot home from a Wayne Routledge cross and City ended up hanging on.

"The game showed you can take nothing for granted," said Hughton. "We were most people's favourites, but we didn't get the win we wanted.

"That's why we keep impressing on the lads to focus on the next match, rather than looking too far ahead. They are all tough."

Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Danny Guthrie all missed good chances for Newcastle, while Gerken produced a string of fine saves.

But there was no doubting City's commitment and Millen said: "I was proud of every one of the players.

"We tired in the second half and came under a lot of pressure. I half expected a call on my mobile from Gary Johnson offering some advice!"