PHIL Parkinson praised a moment of quality from Billy Clarke as City fought back on the road again.

The in-form Irishman followed up his equaliser at Sheffield United by scoring another in last night's 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe.

Clarke volleyed home Stephen Darby's cross to cancel out a first-half strike by Gary McSheffrey and Parkinson said: "He made it look easy.

"I thought it was a good finish. One chance, one goal – that's terrific from him.

"We started well but then they got the goal and we were second best up to half-time. We lost our way and gave them a lift.

"It was so flat – Scunthorpe were flat and the way they started, we looked the most likely team.

"But McSheffrey got that one big moment and got the goal. That's what you need from your key players and fortunately Billy's produced that for us."

The draw takes City up to 59 points, equalling their tally from last season with two games to go. They improved considerably after the break.

Tony McMahon, who retained his place in the starting line-up, had the chance to claim only their second win in seven games but he shot over the bar in stoppage time from close in.

Parkinson was still pleased with the contribution from the former Blackpool skipper. He said: "It was a great chance for Tony but I've got to give him credit.

"It was his second game in three days and he made a terrific run. On another day he keeps that down and we're talking about three points.

"He put in some incredible set-plays – one in particular was crying out to be put in the back of the net. But he has got exceptional delivery.

"I was really pleased with him. He's got a great understanding of the game."

Meanwhile, Reading have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control the crowd after the pitch invasion at last month's FA Cup quarter-final replay with the Bantams.