Ivan Sproule's injury-time time goal ensured a 2-0 win for Bristol City over struggling Southampton.
Goal in either half gives Robins all three points
Ivan Sproule's injury time goal wrapped up Bristol City's comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Southampton.
The win stretches City's unbeaten league run to nine games while the Saints plunge further into relegation trouble.
Bradley Orr had a first half penalty saved by Kelvin Davis in the Southampton goal before the away side hit the woodwork twice.
Southampton were made to rue their missed chances as Gavin Williams' pass found Dele Adebola who slotted the Robins into the lead.
Jason Euell was guilty of missing a six-yard tap-in in the second half and the Saints were finished off as Sproule's injury time counter attack resulted in a second for the home side and ensured all three points.
City began brightly and Williams twice went close inside the first five minutes but his spectacular 30-yard volley and ferocious drive were both well saved by Davis.
Experience
New Southampton coach Mark Wotte has emphasised experience over youth since taking over from the departed Jan Poortvliet at the end of January and recalled Jason Euell, Morgan Schneiderlin and Rudi Skacel to his side against the Robins.
But it was veteran Czech midfielder Skacel who was guilty of over-eagerness when he hauled down Nicky Maynard in the area to give away a 14th-minute penalty.
Usually dependable full-back Orr stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was superbly saved by Davis.
Gary Johnson's Robins refused to let their momentum slip and were soon threatening again as livewire striker Maynard turned his man before dragging his shot a foot wide from the edge of the area.
Somehow the scoreline continued to remain goalless as Southampton's Schneiderlin rattled the post following a free-flowing counter-attack before Adebola had his tame effort saved after a wonderfully intricate passing move from the home side.
Deadlock Broken
Finally the deadlock was broken when targetman Adebola caught the Saints defence napping as he latched on to Williams' lofted throughball before slotting past Davis to make it 1-0.
The visitors refused to capitulate and once again hit the woodwork when Euell's 25-yard effort came back off the upright and he could not keep the follow-up down.
Wotte's Saints came out of the tunnel for the second half rejuvenated and looked a shadow of the team who were dominated in the opening period and it was veteran Euell who should have equalised.
Substitute Kayne McLaggon's 72nd-minute thunderbolt could only be palmed away by Robins keeper Adriano Basso, and when Adam Lallana's cross found Euell six yards out, the former Middlesbrough forward was left with a simple tap in but his skewed effort bobbled wide.
And the Saints were cruelly punished for their late cavalier attitude when the pacey Sproule ran the length of the pitch before placing the ball into an empty net.
