Johnson - Job not done

Robins boss says job still to be done

By James Pearson   Last updated: 10th May 2008

Gary Johnson Bristol City Championship Football Stoke City

Johnson: Staying ground

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Bristol City boss Gary Johnson knows his side are not at Wembley yet despite their first leg success over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Robins have the advantage going into the return leg at Ashton Gate thanks to David Noble's sensational stunner deep into injury time in South London.

Earlier in the game Ben Watson's penalty looked to have salvaged a draw for The Eagles after cancelling out Louis Carey's opener for the visitors.

Johnson acknowledges his side have the upper hand going into the return leg, although he knows Palace will be desperate to get that goal back in Bristol.

"If you're a goal up of course it swings in your favour, but as a professional manager you know that only one up is still a big thing to keep," Johnson told Sky Sports.

Game on

"Crystal Palace will come to Ashton Gate and try to get that one back as soon as they can so the tie still is very much there for both teams at the moment.

"We can only do what we've done in the away leg and come away 2-1 winners. We've now got to put in a good home performance as well."

Johnson has conceded that even if Noble had not won the game late on, he would still have been proud of his side's performance.

"I thought (the performance) was fantastic," he continued. "I thought it was a very competitive game. I thought our lads stood up to the battle very, very well.

"The referee had a fantastic game so I'm willing to trust his judgement. If it was a penalty it was a penalty.

"I felt we were playing well enough. I would have come in and been proud of the lads at 1-1. It was a fantastic strike to give us the lead."