Johnson strike sinks Saints

Johnson: Cool strike

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Lee Johnson struck a cool second-half winner for Bristol City as Southampton's home troubles continued.

The Robins were good value for the 1-0 success at St Mary's, which was secured by Johnson's 51st minute effort.

Michael McIndoe had missed a first-half penalty for the visitors, while Dele Adebola hit the bar in the build-up to Johnson's winner.

In a frenetic opening period neither side managed to carve out a clear-cut opening, with time on the ball restricted as both sets of players failed to gain a foothold in the game.

The home side improved, forcing three corners to threaten Adriano Basso's goal.

At the other end the visitors also looked dangerous and Saints defender Andrew Surman had to be alert to head over following McIndoe's clever cross from the left after 18 minutes.

The resulting corner - high and swirling to the back post - earned City a spot-kick when Alex Pearce handled Jamie McCombe's attempted header back across goal.

McIndoe however could not take full advantage as his power penalty was ill-directed and allowed goalkeeper Kelvin Davis to parry away easily down to his left.

City continued to create the better chances, with Brian Wilson, McCombe and Dele Adebola all going close.

Torrid time

McIndoe fired in a strike which Davis did well to parry just before the interval, with the winger - who gave full-back Jack Cork a torrid time throughout the evening - also sending over a vicious cross which Gavin Williams headed over just after the resumption.

The visitors continued to impose themselves, taking a deserved lead not long after half-time thanks to Johnson's first league goal since August 2007.

The midfielder calmly slotted home Lee Noble's clever pass after Adebola effort's had crashed off the underside of the bar.

Southampton failed to respond after falling behind, with goalkeeper Davis again saving well from McCombe's header shortly before the hour mark.

Marvin Elliot could have doubled City's lead with a fizzing 20-yard strike which flew wide just minutes later as Saints continued to struggle.

Boss Jan Poortvliet brought on Jason Euell who immediately wasted the home side's best chance when he fired horribly wide from inside the area following neat play from Adam Lallana.

Euell's introduction nevertheless gave Saints the impetus they had lacked, with David McGoldrick seeing his effort from inside the area dribble past Basso's post after 76 minutes.

City seemed content to sit back and absorb the pressure as Saints continued to pile forward, and only Bradley Orr's superbly timed challenge in the dying stages denied Rudi Skacel a free run at goal after he cut inside from the left.