Bristol City 2-0 Southampton
Adam Baker reports from Ashton Gate

Goals from Dele Adebola and Ivan Sproule earned City a fifth straight victory in the Coca-Cola Championship, overcoming relegation-threatened Southampton 2-0 at Ashton Gate.

Bradley Orr saw a first half penalty saved, but it mattered little when Adebola beat the offside trap to open the scoring on 34 minutes.

The 17,000-strong crowd had to wait until the 93rd minute for the decisive second goal as Sproule sprinted clear of everyone and slotted into an empty net with Saints keeper Kelvin Davis left stranded up for a corner.

Bradley Orr is denied from the penalty spot early on

A terrific start from City saw Gavin Williams go close early on, the midfielder forcing Davis into two early saves with attempts from the edge of the box.

City deserved a goal for their early efforts and were given the perfect opportunity to open the scoring when Nicky Maynard was dragged to the floor in the box by Jan-Paul Saeijs on 14 minutes

Fresh from scoring from the spot against Norwich last weekend, Orr stepped up confidently but saw his driven spot-kick down the middle saved by Davis' legs.

Moments later Orr's ball over the top found Maynard, who chested down brilliantly before shooting just wide of the far post with Davis diving to his right.

Out of nothing, Southampton finally worked their way into the game as Saeijs headed Andrew Surman's corner goalwards and Williams had to hack clear from the line.

Dele Adebola slots in the opening goal on 34 minutes

The opportunities kept coming for the visitors as David McGoldrick's bustling run set-up Morgan Schneiderlin free down the right and his shot rattled the post.

Almost immediately at the other end Williams played a one-two with Cole Skuse before sending Adebola free into the penalty area. However, Davis again came to Southampton's rescue, making another smart save with his body from Adebola's shot.

The opener finally came on 34 minutes as Orr's pass over the top carved open the Saints defence. Adebola was given far too much time and space to pick his spot this time, beating Davis inside his near post. Complaints from the visitors about the lack of an offside flag proved unfounded as replays showed Saeijs had played Adebola onside.

Ivan Sproule begins his surge towards an empty Saints net

But Saints never gave up and hit the woodwork again on 38 minutes. Jason Euell found space on the edge of the box to fire against Adriano Basso's left-hand post, and it turned into a one-two pass against the upright as Euell sent the rebound high into the Atyeo Stand.

After an end-to-end first period, it was always likely the second half would be a quieter affair in comparison.

Michael McIndoe limped off and Adebola also seemed to have a knock as substitutes Ivan Sproule and Peter Styvar entered the field.

The Saints had a glorious chance with 20 minutes left as substitute Kayne McLaggon's low shot was parried out by Basso. Rudi Skacel sent the rebound back into the middle and Euell stabbed the loose ball wide from only a couple of yards out.

Ivan Sproule scores from two yards to make the match safe

Another Southampton replacement, Adam Lallana, then tested Basso with a long range effort.

City were forced to play on the break and as Styvar fed Maynard, the striker cut into the box and clipped his effort over the top.

At the other end Surman saw a shot saved by Basso, but the game was sealed in stoppage time.

Davis went forward for a late corner and when Basso caught the ball, he quickly fed Sproule. The Northern Irish winger ran 80 yards, out sprinting the entire Saints defence to coolly slot in the killer second goal.

The win is City's seventh in eight Championship outings.