It's fair to say that was a real sucker punch. Seconds away from taking three points back down south and Emil Riis spoils the party by hammering a volley into the corner.
It was an all-familiar story of impressive performances and late goals, although more on that further down. City were brilliant in spells, particularly that first half when they should have put the game to bed.
The Robins know the season is pretty much over, too good for relegation and too far adrift to think about mounting a remarkable charge for the play-offs - although the Aston Villa side of 2019 may argue differently.
Although it means they can almost play with the shackles off and the likes of Han-Noah Massengo and Alex Scott are certainly benefitting and flourishing under Nigel Pearson's leadership.
Once again, there were a lot more positives than negatives to take from the draw and the future is certainly looking rosier than it was three months ago.
With a week until the third away day in a row, this time a trip back up north to Blackpool, here's the verdict from yesterday's game.
Timm Klose right at home
I think I can safely say I wasn't the only person surprised to see Timm Klose thrown straight into the starting XI despite only signing a contract on Thursday.
It wasn't the fact that he officially joined just two days prior, it was more to the point that it had been over six months since he last played a competitive fixture before being launched straight into the deep end.
It would have been less of a surprise for him to feature in the Under-23 clash with Cardiff in the week before making his debut with the away trip to Blackpool next Saturday.
But his inclusion in the 2-2 draw with Preston only emphasises just how eager manager Nigel Pearson was to bring in a central defender to try and resolve the issues at the back.
Zak Vyner dropped out and the gangly 6ft 4" Swiss mountain was thrown straight into the mix against a side who had stuck two past West Brom at the Hawthorns just a few days prior.
Pearson even said himself that he was likely to be a little rusty after dusting off his boots following such a long absence, but in reality, it was almost as if Klose had been at the heart of City's defence all season.
He was undoubtedly nervous early doors but soon settled into the contest - helped by City's relentless dominance in the opening 45 minutes. What struck me the most was his almost telepathic ability to read the game.
That was obvious from the whistle as he constantly stepped forward to intercept passes and break up any of Preston's meagre first-half attacks.
Not only that, Klose almost acted like a leader at the back in the middle with Tomas Kalas to his right and Cam Pring on his left.
He can't be at fault for any of Preston's goals - the second in particular was a finish right out of the top draw but he can take some pride knowing his debut was nothing short of a success.
"It's colder than Switzerland," he said while waiting for his post-match interview - welcome back to the Championship, Klose.
Weimann owns up
Oh Andi... he would have been laying in bed thinking about that sitter for a long time last night.
Sitter may even be generous, it was easier to hit the barn door. Even the steward, who was verging on the age of 70, told me after the game "I could have scored that."
I was sitting directly behind it, the cross comes across the six-yard box and all he has to do is tap it into the net - the keeper is already completely stranded, City head into half-time 2-0 up and they coast through the second half to take the three deserved points.
Although that's what happened in a parallel universe because it inexplicably hits his heel and somehow evades rippling the back of the net. Even the hardy 586 City fans who had made the trip up north were celebrating.
Weimann took to Instagram after the game and wrote: "Today feels like a loss but we are definitely moving in the right direction and with performances like the last two games, we will win more than we lose.
"I should have put us 2-0 ahead and made it more comfortable for us so that's on me."
What some may not remember was Weimann's assist for Chris Martin's opener when he unselfishly found the big man instead of ignoring cries to shoot from the crowd from the edge of the box.
But the Austrian can afford a howler every now and again, he has plenty of credit in the bank thanks to his overall performances this season.
Nobody can argue that his 14 goals scored this season - his career-best to date - is a brilliant return for a player who ended the game at right wing-back.
It just didn't happen for Weimann yesterday, despite getting into all the right positions.
One moment in particular, stood out in the second half when he had acres of space out on the right, cut inside the box and his pass back to Martin was intercepted by the defender and cleared.
Weimann is a vital cog in this system and his movement between the lines causes complete carnage in the opposition defence, allowing more space for Martin and Semenyo to wreak havoc.
A tough day at the office for Weimann by his high standards, but in no way to blame for the point.
City's late goals dilemma
Bristol City are top of the league... but not for the right reasons. I assume there was a feeling of inevitability and acceptance when Emil Riis volleyed in a superb equaliser with about 20 seconds left on the clock.
Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say fair play... it was a great effort by the Preston man.
Although arguably it should never have led to that opportunity after Cam Pring took a tumble on the edge of the Preston area with Semenyo open on the right.
Question marks why Pring was so far up the pitch at that stage of the game will remain but it appeared a clear foul and Pearson certainly didn't hold back in his post-match comments.
Anyway, back to the point. That injury-time goal was City's seventh they have shipped in this season - more than any other team in the league.
A graphic popped up on Sky Sports during Stoke's Friday night game with Huddersfield, where - may I add - the officiating was also laughable, showing City were joint-top alongside Peterborough for goals conceded in extra-time.
As someone pointed out on the messageboard, if those goals didn't go in then City would be sitting in fifth at the moment which highlights the potential this squad has.
Now they've taken that crown which poses a question. Is it just a bad coincidence or is there a deeper issue that Pearson and his squad must address?
Pearson has reiterated the need for better game management to help prevent these moments and Pring will certainly be thinking 'if I had just run that ball into the corner, then that would have been that.'
But the player is just 24 enjoying a breakthrough season with the club and like Weimann, doesn't deserve to be criticised for his role in the equaliser.
He took to Instagram to apologise after the contest, writing: "Hold my hands up for the last minute, too indecisive and shouldn't give them the opportunity to counter, will no doubt learn from that."
Personally, I think it's a little OTT to apologise especially considering the number of impressive performances he has put in this season but this moment could be a blessing is disguise for him in the long run.
Awaiting the ruthless streak
It only feels like a matter of time when everything will click into place and City will batter their opposition, scoring four or five.
That attacking trio has the potential to be one of the most lethal in the league. That's nine consecutive league games now where City have hit the net scoring 17 times in the process.
Martin is a player who is finding his form and confidence and not much needs to be said on Semenyo alongside him. A player with sky-high potential if he can keep himself fit and injury-free.
The reality is, The Robins could have easily scored five last night had they been more ruthless going forward.
At times, they were unplayable with Martin dropping back, holding up the ball and feeling Jay Dasilva who was bombing forward from that wing-back role to help supply ammunition in the attack.
With Weimann in those pockets and Semenyo doing his own thing, they can be unplayable at times when they pull off those little inter-changes of passes going forward.
This may sound like a criticism but I mean it as a compliment, but too often they got themselves into a brilliant position before being wasteful with the final ball.
Of course, they won't score every opportunity they have but to feel deflated despite scoring two goals is surely a sign that things are heading in the right direction.
Semenyo arguably should have had a penalty in the second half when he was clearly bundled to the ground - Pearson said he saw it in slow motion and it was a clear decision.
Callum O'Dowda is seemingly the weak link in the side going forward at the moment. His commitment and work rate is undeniable but his return of one goal and zero assists is not going to leave defenders quaking in their boots.
Fans may have to show some patience and wait until next season, but if Pearson can add a couple of new wing-backs that possess attacking qualities, then this side will be a free-scoring force sooner rather than later.
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