STEVE Bruce accepted his Hull City side had wilted under the pressure of chasing the Premier League after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bristol City last night.
The Tigers' bid to pull nine points clear in second place met an unexpected obstacle in the shape of Bristol City at the KC Stadium, as an opponent already condemned to League One held firm in a dour stalemate.
A point could yet be enough to confirm promotion to the Premier League today if Watford lose to Blackburn and Crystal Palace fail to beat Leicester, but City are again peering over their shoulders after an inexplicably flat performance.
The Tigers can still guarantee promotion themselves by winning one of their final two games against Barnsley and Cardiff, and Bruce is calling for cool heads to return.
"There was a bit of nerves, a bit of edginess, perhaps trying too hard to do too well," said the City boss. "We knew it was a big important game for us, but we haven't handled the occasion. We have to be honest about that.
"We got wrapped up in the whole thing. Where I thought we played with a freedom at Ipswich last weekend, unfortunately we forgot how to play the game with all the expectation.
"We didn't do enough. The reason why we've got where we are is the ability in the team to get it down and play with freedom. On the night, the whole thing caught up with us.
"We'll be better next week because, to be brutally honest, we couldn't get any worse."
City could hardly have picked a worse moment to serve up arguably their most disjointed performance of Bruce's reign.
After taking almost an hour to find their first shot on target, the Tigers only genuine chance saw David Meyler denied by goalkeeper Tom Heaton in stoppage time.
An anxious mood was apparent all around the KC Stadium, but Bruce insisted his troops needed to show greater resolve.
"You've got to deal with that," he said. "We're going for promotion so of course the crowd are going to be a little bit edgy.
"They could see the players were getting edgy too and the whole thing becomes a difficult evening for us.
"Who knows, it could be the point we need to get us over the line. You never know.
"That means we just need one more win. We've made it a little bit more difficult for ourselves but we're still in a wonderful position."
City's seven-point advantage could be reduced to four points if third-placed Watford win at home to Blackburn this afternoon, but failure to win could also confirm promotion to the Premier League for Bruce's men.
The City boss added: "I'm going to Barnsley and Nottingham Forest so I'm sure I'll be kept updated one way or the other.
"We still haven't got to rely on other people and it's still in our hands.
"We're seven points clear and if we win next week we're promoted. That's still a great opportunity whatever happens."
