But Rob Matthews made his mark with a wonderstrike 9 minutes before half time. It came out of nothing, as the midfielder struck it on the half volley from the corner of the box.
12 minutes into the second half, Lawrie Dudfield came close to doubling the lead when Rovers keeper Howie dropped Matthews' cross, but the rebound was blocked.
On the hour mark Julian Johnsson shot just wide after getting on the end of a long free kick.
Minutes later Andy Holt put in a testing cross which Dudfield put wide.
Despite all this pressure City failed to find the net with any of their chances, and were made to pay when Bristol Rovers found an equaliser in the 67th minute. City failed to clear Shore's corner, and Mark Foran came in to make it 1-1.
David Beresford replaced City's goalscorer Rob Matthews, and soon created a chance when Gary Alexander met his cross, but Howie tipped it round the post.
With 15 minutes to go Adrian Caceres came on for Dudfield, but there was little more action as ran out for a 1-1 draw.
City line-up (4-4-2): Glennon; Petty, Whittle, Mohan, Van Blerk; Matthews (Beresford), Johnsson, Greaves, Holt; Alexander, Dudfield (Caceres).
Un-used subs: Musselwhite, Edwards, Philpott.