Despite a lot of huffing and puffing it was 66 minutes before anyone managed a shot on target, Bristol City substitute David Noble bringing Steve Mildenhall to his knees.
Then Yeovil boss Russell Slade made a brave 73rd minute substitute, sending on the attack-minded Arron Davies to replace left-back Nathan Jones.
Five minutes after his arrival Davies found space down the middle and fired in a 25-yard drive that took a deflection past City keeper Adriano Basso.
That looked likely to be the only goal of the match as four minutes stoppage time was signalled, but Yeovil striker Wayne Gray - playing a lone role up front as City refused to allow loanee Marcus Stewart to play - used his considerable speed to race through the defence to score.
There was still a sting in the tale to come. In the dying seconds another Yeovil sub, Anthony Tonkin, brought down Lee Johnson in the box and Phil Jevons, who scored 15 spot-kicks in two years with Yeovil before moving up the road, sent Mildenhall the wrong way.
Early in the first half Yeovil lost skipper Terry Skiverton with an injury and that gave a chance to Scott Guyett, who has been a permanent fixture on the substitute's bench this season.
Guyett's contribution lasted 32 minutes. In the final minute of the half he moved up for a corner and was involved in a massive melee in the City box.
Referee Andre Marriner singled out Guyett and City skipper Louis Carey and sent both off.
Mr Marriner was another who took an early shower. In the 59th minute he pulled up with a muscle injury leaving fourth official Steve Tomlinson to finish an eventful game.