Visiting side Bristol City opened the scoring early in the first half when Neil Danns fired his shot into the bottom corner after Town only half-cleared their lines.
A series of missed chances from the visitors did not go unpunished as the Blues drew level after 32 minutes.
A corner was headed back into the danger area where Smith was on hand to fire it into the top corner with an acrobatic shot on the turn.
Smith says he is happy the 1-1 draw allows his side to extend the unbeaten home record under McCarthy but admits Town were not at their best.
“We know we didn’t play to our full potential but the pleasing thing is that we still took something from the game,” the New Zealand international says.
“I think a few weeks ago if we had been in this situation then we may have gone on and lost the game, so it’s positive to see that we are improving as a group.
“On reflection a draw is probably a fair result today and to take a point having been behind is certainly a positive.”
Smith wasn’t the only Kiwi making his mark in the championship over the weekend.
Down to ten men and behind 1-0 to Barnsley, All Whites striker Chris Wood’s crisp finishing helped Millwall battle their way back to level terms with ten minutes remaining in the match.
However the goal wasn’t enough for the the Lions who went on to lose the match 2-1.
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