Brighton 2-1 Bristol City: Sam Baldock and Bobby Zamora sink City

Veteran striker Bobby Zamora came off the bench to hit a late winner as leaders Brighton battled back from a goal behind to defeat lowly Bristol City 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

Derrick Williams volleyed spirited City ahead in the first half but striker Sam Baldock scored against his former club to level shortly after the break.

Zamora, 34, who also scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at Leeds last Saturday, repeated the trick to extend the Seagulls' undefeated start to 12 games before a crowd of 23,181.

Unchanged City had a chance early on when striker Jonathan Kodjia set up Irish defender Derrick Williams but he dragged his side well wide.

Brighton's Israel international striker Tomer Hemed was off target in the 10th minute when he headed a Liam Rosenior cross wide at the far post.

The Seagulls went into the game without skipper and experienced central defender Gordon Greer with a jarred knee and Lewis Dunk partnered Uwe Huenemeier in the middle of the back four.

Chris Hughton's side went behind for only the second time this season when City broke the deadlock through Williams in the 17th minute.

Williams, playing only his third game as left wing-back, volleyed his first goal of the season after being set up by Kodjia who got the better of Gaetan Bong.

Williams came close to doubling City's lead shortly after when his powerful low drive drew a fine save from keeper David Stockdale, who dived to his left to turn the ball around the post.

Brighton striker Sam Baldock, who joined the Seagulls from City 14 months ago, should have levelled after 32 minutes when picked out by Solly March but his tame shot was saved by keeper Frank Fielding.

Baldock chipped Fielding four minutes later but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Luke Ayling.

Brighton ended the half on top and Fielding superbly dived to his right to keep out a shot from Hemed after a dazzling run by March.

City were put under pressure after the break and Elliott Bennett made an important clearance following a low drive by stand-in skipper Bruno Saltor.

Baldock struck to level with his first goal for 10 games and only second of the season in the 53rd minute as the striker steered the ball home at the near post after Bruno delivered an inviting low cross.

Stockdale came to Brighton's rescue by splendidly parrying a fierce drive from Kodjia after he was smartly played in by substitute Liam Moore.

Kodjia could have restored City's lead when in a one-on-one situation with keeper Stockdale, but the Albion keeper pulled off a fine save with his legs.

Zamora, on as a substitute for Hemed, settled the issue with his second goal in two games giving Fielding no chance with a low drive from 15 yards eight minutes from time.