Fulham forward Bobby Decordova-Reid almost scored on his return to Ashton Gate midway through the first half but nodded Ivan Cavaleiro's cross wide following a counter-attack.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Nahki Wells worked his way on to Pedro Pereira's headed delivery to nod home as the Robins sought to end a four-game run without a league win.

However, Fulham captain Cairney hit the target with a left-footed strike from outside the box to ensure the visitors took home a point and avoid losing ground on the automatic promotion places.

The draw meant Bristol City missed the chance to move into the final Championship-play off place, although it lifted them above Millwall to seventh.

Fulham were certain to stay in third position regardless of the result after Nottingham Forest's defeat by Millwall on Friday, and Scott Parker's side now lie six points off second place following Leeds' win against Huddersfield and West Brom's draw with Swansea.

After a match of few chances in the first hour of play, Wells' header set the game alight and the hosts looked in a strong position to halt their inconsistent league form of late as the game entered its final stages.

Cairney's late strike, though foiled their hopes of all three points, but although it may have quelled some of the travelling support's nerves but Fulham have now won just two of their past 10 games on the road in the league.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson:

"We desperately wanted to mark our 125th anniversary match with a win, but I think the reaction of our fans at the end said it all.

"I believe their applause was partly for the way Fulham played and partly for the way we combated a very good side.

"We are still a work in progress, but somehow we have to find a way of getting sufficient results over our remaining games to be in the promotion shake-up.

"That is certainly the aim and if the players continue to put bodies on the line to protect our goal like they did today it will certainly help."

Fulham boss Scott Parker:

"What pleased me most was the character the players showed after falling behind. They could have let heads drop, but instead got level and looked the only team likely to win in the closing stages.

"That sort of resilience is something we have worked because it wasn't always evident over the first half of the season.

"It is a quality we are going to need over the final weeks of the campaign if we are to achieve our aim.

"Tom Cairney took his goal superbly and was outstanding throughout the game. I thought he was head and shoulder above every other player."