Saints extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches, which has catapulted them into the automatic promotion race, but they failed to win for the first time in over a month.

Ryan Manning’s own goal and Sam Bell’s glancing header twice had the Robins ahead but Cyle Larin and Ross Stewart cancelled them out.

Eckert said: “There have been so many games in April and the expectations have gone up and up.

“That is credit to the players for what they have done over the last few weeks but today proves there are no easy games in the Championship.

“They made it difficult for us but we had two chances to win it, in recent games we have done it but today we just have to take the point and move on.

“We have never looked too much ahead. We don’t reflect on each game. We get that one out the way and then more onto the next one – that is exactly the same for Saturday.”

City took the lead in the fifth minute when Scott Twine’s delicious cross was headed into his own goal by Manning and again in the 63rd minute when Bell glanced in Tomi Horvat’s corner.

But Saints levelled on each occasion, Larin poking in Manning’s free-kick and Stewart heading in with 16 minutes to play.

It meant Roy Hodgson has picked up eight points in five matches since taking charge of Bristol City until the end of the season.

“I enjoyed watching it, I enjoyed watching our performance,” said Hodgson. “I think the players should be proud.

“We kept them very much at arm’s length for most of the game. I thought we created more clear-cut chances across the 90 minutes.

“I am very happy with the point but on another day we might have had all three.

“I think the performance surpassed anything we had been capable of doing up to now, including the two victories.

“For me it was the best performance of my time at the club. I hope they have two more performances like that in them.

“We need to take stock of what was good and bottle that and take it out again.”

Southampton’s next match is against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals, and Hodgson things he might have done Eckert and Co a favour to prepare them for the might of Pep Guardiola’s juggernauts.

The former Fulham and Crystal Palace boss said: “I think we did a lot with the way we played and kept the ball that he will meeting again when they play Pep.

“But there will be more quality than we can put onto the field!”