Edin Dzeko marked his FA Cup debut with a vital equaliser to deny Notts County a famous victory at Meadow Lane.
After an even first half of few clear chances, Neal Bishop eluded the City defence at the near post to glance an Alan Gow corner into the top corner.
But Micah Richards escaped down the right and sent a fine cross for Bosnian Dzeko, who volleyed into the roof of the net left-footed from close range.
Both sides had chances in the closing stages but a fine match finished level.
The meeting of England's oldest club against perhaps the world's wealthiest always promised an intriguing encounter, but it almost produced the shock of the 2010-11 competition.
Nottingham Rugby Club share the famous ground with County and the consequence has been a pudding-like pitch, reminiscent of the surface at Edgar Street where Ronnie Radford scored one of the great FA Cup goals as Hereford stunned Newcastle in 1972.
Featuring immense physical specimens Richards, Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira, City were never likely to be muscled out of things, but they were matched for commitment from the outset by County seeking a triumph of similar prominence.
Gow curled a free-kick just wide of the post, having been brought down in the opening moments.
Neal Bishop opens the scoring
Bishop's header had given County a shock lead approaching the hour
But City's slick passing soon cut through the home side's spirited pressing as Richards raced clear on the overlap to collect Dzeko's neat pass and sent an inviting low cross for Toure, whose sliding goal-bound effort was diverted over the bar by keeper Stuart Nelson with his legs.
Dzeko's first attempt on goal was a speculative shot from 25 yards which went almost the same distance high and wide, much to the delight of a vociferous home crowd, who were quick to let him know their thoughts about the value of his £27m move from Wolfsburg.
As the match continued in cut-and-thrust fashion at a frantic pace, Dzeko almost seized on a loose ball on the edge of the six-yard box but Krystian Pearce produced a vital intervention and County were content with life at the break.
606: DEBATE
Man City fan in peace. Great FA Cup game - just the way it should be played
blue mosaics
City boss Roberto Mancini had been exasperated by his side's failings and the six-time Italian Cup winner clearly had some strong words for them during the interval.
But it was County who struck the first blow as Bishop ghosted clear to glance in his first goal since February 2010.
The visitors urgently sought a response but Pablo Zabaleta's cross was headed narrowly over by Dzeko and Nelson tipped over Gareth Barry's 25-yard strike that was destined for the roof of the net.
However, eventually a moment of high quality brought City level.
David Silva, who had replaced the ineffective Jo, threaded an intricate crossfield pass to release the athletic Richards sprinting into space down the right flank again and Dzeko applied the composed first-time finish on the volley stretching with his left foot.
Veteran striker Lee Hughes, 34, headed wide in the final moments for County who now look forward to a replay at Eastlands.
After an even first half of few clear chances, Neal Bishop eluded the City defence at the near post to glance an Alan Gow corner into the top corner.
But Micah Richards escaped down the right and sent a fine cross for Bosnian Dzeko, who volleyed into the roof of the net left-footed from close range.
Both sides had chances in the closing stages but a fine match finished level.
The meeting of England's oldest club against perhaps the world's wealthiest always promised an intriguing encounter, but it almost produced the shock of the 2010-11 competition.
Nottingham Rugby Club share the famous ground with County and the consequence has been a pudding-like pitch, reminiscent of the surface at Edgar Street where Ronnie Radford scored one of the great FA Cup goals as Hereford stunned Newcastle in 1972.
Featuring immense physical specimens Richards, Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira, City were never likely to be muscled out of things, but they were matched for commitment from the outset by County seeking a triumph of similar prominence.
Gow curled a free-kick just wide of the post, having been brought down in the opening moments.
Neal Bishop opens the scoring
Bishop's header had given County a shock lead approaching the hour
But City's slick passing soon cut through the home side's spirited pressing as Richards raced clear on the overlap to collect Dzeko's neat pass and sent an inviting low cross for Toure, whose sliding goal-bound effort was diverted over the bar by keeper Stuart Nelson with his legs.
Dzeko's first attempt on goal was a speculative shot from 25 yards which went almost the same distance high and wide, much to the delight of a vociferous home crowd, who were quick to let him know their thoughts about the value of his £27m move from Wolfsburg.
As the match continued in cut-and-thrust fashion at a frantic pace, Dzeko almost seized on a loose ball on the edge of the six-yard box but Krystian Pearce produced a vital intervention and County were content with life at the break.
606: DEBATE
Man City fan in peace. Great FA Cup game - just the way it should be played
blue mosaics
City boss Roberto Mancini had been exasperated by his side's failings and the six-time Italian Cup winner clearly had some strong words for them during the interval.
But it was County who struck the first blow as Bishop ghosted clear to glance in his first goal since February 2010.
The visitors urgently sought a response but Pablo Zabaleta's cross was headed narrowly over by Dzeko and Nelson tipped over Gareth Barry's 25-yard strike that was destined for the roof of the net.
However, eventually a moment of high quality brought City level.
David Silva, who had replaced the ineffective Jo, threaded an intricate crossfield pass to release the athletic Richards sprinting into space down the right flank again and Dzeko applied the composed first-time finish on the volley stretching with his left foot.
Veteran striker Lee Hughes, 34, headed wide in the final moments for County who now look forward to a replay at Eastlands.
