Nicky Maynard helped Bristol City move on from the 'phantom goal' by securing a 1-0 win over QPR.
Unbeaten City put goal controversy behind them
Nicky Maynard helped Bristol City move on from the 'phantom goal' by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over QPR.
The Robins also beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday but their sportsmanship was questioned after referee Rob Shoebridge ruled out a perfectly legitimate goal by Palace striker Freddie Sears, when the ball clearly hit the back of the net and rebounded out.
But Gary Johnson's side put the controversy behind them and remained unbeaten after Maynard claimed his third goal in three games 12 minutes from time.
The hosts dominated the first half but QPR improved after the break and Adel Taarabt went closest as he struck a post from close range.
Faurlin debut
Rangers handed a debut to £3.5million summer signing Alejandro Faurlin, but the Argentinian was unable to unlock the Robins' defence and the Londoners are still searching for their first league win of the season.
Bristol City made a bright start with Danny Haynes and Marvin Elliott both trying their luck but failing to test Rangers keeper Radek Cerny.
And it took a fine save from Cerny to keep out Maynard's right-foot strike from the edge of the area after 12 minutes.
The Hoops remained on the back foot and Cerny was called into action again to palm away a header from Elliott, and Haynes should have done better when he fired wide from 12 yards.
The visitors were under relentless pressure and breathed a sigh of relief when former Derby defender Lewin Nyatanga headed over.
But as the first half drew to a close, Rangers started to look more comfortable and former Plymouth midfielder Akos Buzsaky flashed a long-range effort just over the bar.
Rangers were a different side after the break and Wayne Routledge had an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock, only to be denied from close range by home keeper Dean Gerken.
Off the post
And the visitors were almost in front five minutes after the break when on-loan Tottenham midfielder Taarabt hit the woodwork.
Taarabt was in the thick of the action once again two minutes later but his long-range strike was off target.
Johnson introduced on-loan striker Andrius Velicka for his debut in the 64th minute but the Lithuania international was on the field for only 11 minutes before forced off through injury.
However, City claimed all three points shortly after as when Haynes set up Maynard and the former Crewe striker drilled a clinical right-foot finish into the top corner.
