Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Bramall Lane

Jame Beattie hit a brace as Sheffield United condemned City to a 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.

The one-time England international bagged both his goals from Dave Cotterill's corner kicks, with Liam Fontaine's own goal sandwiched between.

It means City go into the October international break with 13 points from their opening ten matches of the Coca-Cola Championship season.

The game began slowly with each side failing to stamp their mark, despite an early shot from Stephen Quinn into the arms of Adriano Basso.

John Akinde, in for Nicky Maynard after his goal against Plymouth in midweek, linked up well with Dele Adebola to set-up Marvin Elliott on 13 minutes, but the midfielder's diving header dropped into the arms of Paddy Kenny.

Billy Sharp lashed a shot over from 25 yards, before providing a neat assist to Quinn's low curling shot which Basso held.

Dave Cotterill has a shot at goal against his former club

Louis Carey, back in the team after injury, robbed Sharp of the ball on 42 minutes before advancing on goal and driving a shot narrowly over the top.

But less than 60 seconds later at the other end Cotterill danced his way past Michael McIndoe and Jamie McAllister to reach the penalty area. The ex-City winger's cut back found Sharp, but the striker's low shot was mis-hit and Bradley Orr cleared with ease.

Just as the half looked to be ending goalless, an accidental throw out from Adriano Basso handed possession back to the Blades, who earned a corner from the boot of Johnson. From Cotterill's corner kick Beattie volleyed powerfully beyond Basso for 1-0.

Adebola shot narrowly wide soon after half-time, before City were again found on the back foot.

Liam Fontaine scores an own goal past Adriano Basso

Quinn's shot deflected into the path of Beattie and his low angled drive was well saved by Basso with two firm hands.

City had a glorious chance to level on 55 minutes as Bradley Orr's long throw-in was flicked on for Elliott to head narrowly over from a couple of yards out.

But the miss proved crucial as United, from their next attack, doubled their advantage. Quinn's inswinging free kick was headed in beyond Basso by Fontaine for an own goal.

On the hour Lee Trundle came on for Brian Wilson and he immediately teased in a cross for Adebola to head narrowly over. Nicky Maynard was next to enter the attack, ending Akinde's full debut.

Sheffield United celebrate victory over City at Bramall Lane

But before the £2.25m signing could make an impression on the game, City were trailing 3-0. Cotterill's flag kick again picked out Beattie unmarked, and the forward made no mistake with a firm close range header.

Brian Howard almost sealed his debut with a fourth home goal but skewed his shot wide from a couple of yards out following Beattie's superb cross.

Fontaine almost made amends for his own goal when he headed Trundle's cross towards the net, but Beattie proved the hero once more with a goal-line clearance.

It wasn't to be City's day, as they and their supporters left Bramall Lane disappointed.