City suffered their second home defeat in as many games this season as Nicky Maynard inspired Bristol City to their first win of the campaign.Maynard scored twice, either side of a David Nugent equaliser, to give the Robins victory King Power Stadium, having also missed a penalty during a frustrating first half for Sven-Goran Eriksson's Foxes.The former Crewe striker ultimately proved the difference between the two sides - making the most of two defensive errors to settle an even contest and leave City searching for form ahead of their weekend trip to local rivals Nottingham Forest.Showing five changes from the weekend, including a debut for Sean St. Ledger in place of skipper Matt Mills, City started well on Wednesday night - Nugent and captain Richie Wellens combining to release Lloyd Dyer down the right and his cross cut out just before it reached Paul Gallagher.It was the sort of the purposeful start the home fans were looking for, but when Sol Bamba pulled a long ball down on his chest and lost out to Jamal Campbell-Ryce on the edge of his own box, Gelson Fernandes' foul afforded the visitors their first sight of goal.Five minutes on the clock and Maynard made no mistake; fizzing a 20-yard drive in off the inside of the post from Neil Kilkenny's touch.But as the home side's tails started to lift, an error from St. Ledger cost them dearly.Bristol City's pressing game had been impressive all night - Maynard and Kilkenny particularly quick to close down space - and Maynard finally got his reward on 66 minutes.Bearing down on St. Ledger 10 yards inside the Foxes' half, Maynard stole possession before raiding away at pace.Bamba raced across to cover, but Maynard saw him coming, slipping past the Ivorian before slotting past Schmeichel with confidence.Knowing they would have to come back once more, City set about the task well and nearly found an equaliser on 77 minutes - King working his way into the box down the left before chipping into the box, where Gerken flicked the ball against the fortunate Lewin Nyatanga, who unwittingly found the arms of his goalkeeper.
Millen's visitors should have closed the game out in the final stages - substitutes Kalifa Cisse and Ryan Taylor both wasting glorious openings at the death.
But it was City that nearly produced the late drama when St. Ledger's high ball into the box was spilled by Gerkan under pressure from Neil Danns, and Bamba failed to find the unguarded target under pressure from Nyatanga.
No comments:
Post a Comment