Bristol City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Adam Baker reports from Ashton Gate

City overcame West Country rivals Plymouth Argyle in a manic six-minute spell where all four goals arrived.

This derby clash took a while to get going - but when it did, the game exploded with goals. Danny Haynes' close range finish was cancelled out by a screamer from Jamie Mackie.

Fans didn't have time to blink as Jamie McCombe then put City back in front and Nicky Maynard sealed victory with a brilliant curling finish.

Before kick-off Gary Johnson, along with his coaching staff, joined his entire squad on the pitch to applaud all four sides of the stadium. This replaced the usual pre-match huddle, with the aim to show the players how much positive support there is behind the team.

Evander Sno operated in central midfield for the first time

Plymouth carved out the first chance on five minutes with a surging run down the left from Gary Sawyer. The winger cut the ball back towards the edge of the box and Shane Lowry's snap-shot was parried away by Dean Gerken.

Evander Sno, operating in midfield for the first time, saw a long range shot deflect behind off Lowry. And from the resultant corner Romain Larrieu's flap almost allowed Sno in, only for a last-ditch tackle to deny the Dutchman.

There was a strong penalty appeal on 20 minutes when McCombe hit the deck when challenging for Paul Hartley's inswinging free kick.

A swift counter and superb curling pass from Ashley Barnes moments later sent Mackie away but as the Plymouth forward pulled the trigger Lewin Nyatanga had tracked back to block.

Jamie McAllister rises above Plymouth's Ashley Barnes

Plymouth had a penalty appeal of their own on 25 minutes as Alan Judge turned in the box sharply before hitting the deck, but referee Grant Hegley was in a good position and turned their shouts down.

On the half hour Alvaro Saborio was withdrawn; Louis Carey coming on for his 551st appearance and a formation shake-up followed. The team switched from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2.

Almost immediately Orr's cross was fired goalwards into the waiting arms of Larrieu by Sno.

The noise levels inside Ashton Gate lifted further when Paul Hartley smashed a 30-yard shot inches over the top following a sustained period of dominant possession from the hosts.

Paul Hartley whips a free kick inches wide of the upright

The best chance of the half arrived three minutes before the break as the ball dropped loose to Sno on the edge of the box and he quickly spun to send Haynes clear. The striker advanced on Larrieu and looked poised to score, only to slide the ball under the keeper and wide of the far post.

Nicky Maynard volleyed over the top on the stroke of half-time following Haynes' superb chest-down set-up.

The second half started in open fashion with Nyatanga heading over from six yards when picked out by Jamie McAllister's straight after the restart.

Maynard couldn't quite flick in Haynes' cross, and then Haynes himself fired wide from 25 yards out. Sno guided a header towards goal but Larrieu was able to catch comfortably, before a free kick opportunity presented itself to City when Carl Fletcher hacked down Maynard on the edge of the box. Paul Hartley curled the set-piece over the wall and inches wide - with the goalkeeper completely stranded.

A double attacking change saw Gavin Williams and Ivan Sproule introduced for Sno and Nyatanga on 66 minutes. It produced another shape change, with Williams and Sproule operating on left and right wings respectively in a 4-4-2 formation.

Jamie McCombe celebrates his vital goal in the derby clash

"Attack, attack, attack," was the cry from the home fans, desperate for a goal and it finally arrived for their side with 18 minutes to go. McAllister's long, raking cross from the left evaded everyone and Haynes stole in at the back post to slide it in.

The lead lasted just 92 seconds though as substitute Rory Fallon flicked the ball on for Mackie to chase, and he unleashed an unstoppable shot past Gerken and in off the underside of the crossbar.

The drama continued to unfold and this time it was the Plymouth's fans celebrations that were cut short as McAllister whipped in a cross 111 seconds later and McCombe nodded in for 2-1.

And the game was put to bed by Maynard, this time two minutes and 15 seconds later, as he turned into space on the edge of the box and curled in with his left foot.

Maynard sent a bending shot over the top from Sproule's cutback on 82 minutes, but Plymouth had little in response now anyway.

It was a fitting performance to mark City's biggest home crowd of the season to date. The cheer that greeted the final whistle showed how much it meant.