Southampton 2-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from St.Mary's Stadium

Goals from Stern John and Jason Euell earned relegation-threatened Southampton a deserved 2-0 win over City.

The Robins had a day out to forget on the South Coast as the Saints proved too good on the day for Gary Johnson's promotion chasers.

John opened the scoring on 35 minutes and had another disallowed soon after, but despite a spirited fightback in the second half from City, Euell sealed the win at the death. 

City endured a nightmare first half, which the home team dominated from start to finish.

Inigo Idiakez twice tested Adriano Basso with free kicks from the edge of the box, and both times the Brazilian saved well diving to his right.

John wasted a great chance on 11 minutes when he was picked out unmarked in the box from Youseff Safri's raking cross-field pass. The experienced striker took the ball down well on his chest but fluffed his shot well wide of the mark.

Idiakez headed a curling Jermaine Wright cross wide of the far post before, on 35 minutes, John was given the opportunity to make amends for his earlier miss.

With the ball bouncing around in the penalty area Euell guided the ball to the back post with his head and John steered it in off the underside of the crossbar.

With City's first attack of the game three minutes later Orr's cross was headed straight at goal by Scott Murray, leaving Richard Wright with an easy save.

John thought he had a second goal 60 seconds later but as he clipped the ball beyond Basso from six yards, the assistant referee's flag was raised on the nearside to rule out the effort for offside.

Steve Brooker and Ivan Sproule were both introduced at half-time as City looked to put a dreadful first 45 behind them.

But chances came and went for the visitors as Bradley Orr fired wide from distance and Michael McIndoe's inswinging free kick was headed just wide of the goal by a Southampton head.

It was Basso who was tasked with keeping City in the game with a fine diving save to keep out Idiakez's low drive.

And the Brazilian was at his best again when he denied Wright-Phillips twice in quick succession.

The killer goal came six minutes from the end as Wright-Phillips stabbed a Mario Licka cross straight at Basso. The keeper made another great save but Euell was on hand to stab in the rebound.