Maynard sweet for City

Image: Maynard: On form

Bristol City's Nicky Maynard scored his fourth goal in three games to defeat Crystal Palace 1-0.

Robins end search for home success

Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard scored his fourth goal in three games to secure a 1-0 victory at Ashton Gate and inflict a first defeat in nine games on Crystal Palace. The win also secured City their first three-point haul in six home matches and dented Palace's promotion plans. Maynard grabbed the only goal of the game in the second minute as he curled in from the edge of the box following a Stern John corner. Palace rarely threatened, and City should have gone further ahead. But Louis Carey headed wide, and Ivan Sproule hit the post in the first half before Liam Fontaine fired wide after the break. The visitors' only meaningful attempt came from Lee Hills just before half-time, but his shot from the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar.

Reward

City boss Gary Johnson kept faith with the same starting XI that earned the Robins their first win in nine attempts last time out against Watford. Neil Warnock made three changes to the Palace side which defeated Norwich on Boxing Day - with Hills, Matthew Lawrence and Danny Butterfield all coming in. The home side started well and were rewarded with the opener before immediately going in search of a second - and Maynard, who was having a fine game, tried to lob Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni but his shot went just wide. City should have had a second midway through the half when Lee Johnson's corner found Carey - but he headed wide from just six yards. Minutes later, Speroni saved a shot from John with his feet - before Sproule's effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the post.
Unlikely equaliser
Palace barely had a shot in the first half but almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser when Hills' shot hit the bar. City continued their assault on the visitors' goalmouth in the second half and Fontaine missed a great opportunity to double their lead when he fired over from close range after being found by Bradley Orr's cross. The Eagles did eventually begin to threaten and Paul Ifill forced Adriano Basso into a save with a powerful effort from 25 yards. However, City exerted their authority once again and Michael McIndoe fired a long-range effort over the crossbar before Sproule and Marvin Elliott both had shots blocked. Speroni made a good save to deny Cole Skuse late on and at the other end Fontaine blocked Sean Scannell's shot as Bristol City held on for the win.
Outbrain