Stoke City 2-1 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Britannia Stadium

Mamady Sidibe bagged a first-half brace to all but end City's automatic promotion hopes with a 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

Goals on 13 and 36 minutes from the big striker gave the visitors an uphill battle in front of the television cameras.

Dele Adebola pulled a goal back but it wasn't enough as City slipped four points behind today's hosts.

Despite an early chance which Jamie McCombe headed against Adebola and over the top, City found themselves caught out on 13 minutes by a Stoke set-piece.

A free kick from the touchline was whipped in by Liam Lawrence and Sidibe leapt above Marvin Elliott to nod the ball beyond Adriano Basso.

Stoke continued in the ascendancy with Ricardo Fuller and Carl Dickinson both shooting over the top in quick succession.

But the hosts continued to turn the screw and were rewarded on 36 minutes. Caught high up the field, Sidibe played a neat headed one-two with strike partner Fuller to break clear of the defence. Cool and assured Sidibe slotted the ball beneath Basso's body for 2-0.

Elliott sent a 25-yard shot over the top in response and Brian Wilson wasted a free kick on the stroke of half-time, sending the ball high into the stands on his old stomping ground.

Wilson and Darren Byfield were replaced at the break, with David Noble and Lee Trundle introduced.

Trundle's impact was almost instant as he guided a McIndoe cross just wide of the post. The striker then set-up McIndoe on the edge of the box and his shot was easily saved by Carlo Nash.

Stoke responded with Sidibe shooting goalwards and McIndoe hacking the ball off the line. Then Fuller and Lawrence with a delightful free kick both went close.

However, City weathered the storm and pulled a goal back on 67 minutes, Adebola rising highest to nod a McIndoe corner into the top corner.

City continued to improve and Orr was unlucky not to score moments later when he saw a goalbound effort cleared off the line.

Basso remained alert at the other end and made a superb diving save to keep out Leon Cort's diving header from a corner kick.

Tamas Vasko was thrown on at the death but even his presence couldn't force an equaliser.