Brighton 0-1 Bristol City: Visitors ensure Championship survival

Brighton were denied the Championship title as Bristol City secured their survival in the league with a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Amex on Saturday.

Josh Brownhill broke the deadlock shortly before half-time and, despite dominating possession through much of the game, Chris Hughton's men were denied by an impressive City defence.

The hosts produced a number of chances after the break but it wasn't to be for the newly-promoted Seagulls, who will have to wait another week if they are to win the trophy, with a trip to Aston Villa to come as the campaign draws to a close.

Meanwhile, Lee Johnson's side ensured they are mathematically safe with the result moving them six points above the relegation zone with one match to play.

The home side started well and almost took the lead after three minutes when Jiri Skalak surged into the box to meet a Glenn Murray cross in from the right, but the latter was unable to connect with the ball and scuffed his shot to send the ball sailing past Skalak.

The visitors prevented Brighton from getting in behind and it was Bristol City who created the next chance when David Stockdale was called into action in the 14th minute, racing out of his goal to punch away a dangerous set-piece and clear the danger ahead of a towering Aden Flint.

But neither goalkeeper was called upon to produce anything other than routine stops, as chances were few and far between in front of a sell-out crowd.

Skalak released a low shot after cutting inside from the left wing, but his effort failed to trouble Frank Fielding, whose comfortable save kept the score level at 29 minutes.

Seven minutes later, Murray found space to meet Gaetan Bong's neat cross but Brighton's striker could only aim his header beyond strike partner Tomer Hemed, and it was another chance wasted for the league-leaders.

Bong continued to make his presence felt in the 39th minute when he released a strike from the edge of the box, but his shot drifted over the bar after taking a deflection.

But it was the Robins who opened scoring with a well-worked goal - their first shot on target - when Matty Taylor sent an inch-perfect cross into the area for an unmarked Brownhill to guide a powerful header into the back of the net from close-range after 43 minutes.

The hosts began the second-half the livelier of the sides, and Uwe Hunemeier almost drew his side level when he found space to meet substitute Solly March's fine corner into the box, but he couldn't quite angle his header into the bottom corner and aimed his effort wide.

Brighton continued to press for an equaliser but the Robins proved difficult to break down, restricting the hosts' chances in the final-third.

Flint continually cleared balls from the Bristol area to frustrate his opponents' forwards, producing timely clearances in close succession to keep the hosts at bay.

Brighton substitute March showed attacking threat when he kept the ball alive on the edge of the box before driving inside to tee up Dunk, who sent the ball wide in the 82nd minute.

Six minutes later, March was causing problems again when Brighton caught their opponents on the counter before the 22-year-old made a timely run into the box, but his shot sailed wide and the Seagulls must now wait for the final day of the season to determine whether they will lift the Championship winners' trophy.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton

"It's disappointment because we've had two opportunities to clinch the title but we now have to leave it to a very tough game, away to Aston Villa.

"There is no doubt we were the better side today.

"I think we just lacked that little bit of quality in our crosses and we probably made it too easy for them to defend.

"It's still very much in our hands and it's a big one from us. We have a week to prepare. We will have to show better quality than what we did today because again we're up against a team who are in fine form."

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson

"I thought the lads were excellent. I thought our shape was great.

"You've got to accept they're a fantastic side. Massive congratulations goes out to them, just for the whole season. Amazing team, amazing manager and we have to give them huge credit.

"But today, we went about our jobs very well. We've been in good form, we're difficult to play when we're like that.

"We limited a fantastic side to very little."